[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Your
ovaries are busy little organs responsible for producing eggs, producing hormones and communicating with other bodily systems that impact your immune function, brain health and metabolism. Keeping them healthy means better hormonal balance,
fertility and overall health, including helping to reduce the risk of conditions like osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline.
You can support the health of your ovaries through diet and lifestyle choices that support hormonal balance and keep
inflammation at bay.
Nutrients to support ovarian health
While it's always best to get a range of wholesome foods with a variety of nutrients, some are
essential for keeping your ovaries in top shape while supporting overall reproductive health. If you have specific concerns or conditions, it’s wise to speak to a healthcare professional to see what might be best for your particular case.
B Vitamins: Vitamins B1, B3, B12 and folate all help support ovarian-endocrine health
Vitamin D:
Supports hormone balance and overall reproductive health
Vitamin C: Vital for immune function and overall health and may
help keep ovarian cells healthy
Calcium: Supports both bone and reproductive health and
may help with PMS symptoms
Healthy fats: Unsaturated fats like omega-3 fatty acids can help support
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) balance
Magnesium: Supports many of the body's systems, including
hormone balance
Phytoestrogens: These
phytonutrients help support healthy estrogen levels and relieve symptoms of PMS
Fiber: Fiber helps regulate insulin levels, which is particularly helpful for people with PCOS.
Intake of fiber has also been shown to protect against ovarian cancer.
Inositol: This form of sugar alcohol acts like a messenger inside cells to help
support certain hormones involved in metabolism, thyroid and reproductive health
Foods for ovarian health
Now that we know the particular nutrients that can support ovarian health, here are some foods you can incorporate into your diet to get healthy doses of them every day.
Leafy greens
Leafy greens like spinach, kale and swiss chard are packed with iron, calcium, vitamin C and folate, which all support reproductive health. They also contain fiber and phytonutrients.
Try:
Creamy Green Smoothie Bowl,
Sweet Spinach and Banana Muffins or
Baked Salmon with Sundried Tomatoes and Kale
Avocados
Creamy, versatile avocados contain healthy monounsaturated fats to support hormone production and healthy cell membranes. Other nutrients you'll get from these gems are magnesium and vitamin C, plus a dose of fiber.
Try:
Avocado Coconut Smoothie,
Avocado Nice Cream or
Avocado Egg Salad
Wild salmon
Salmon is loaded with healthy omega-3 fatty acids and protein, which support mitochondrial function in the ovaries. It also provides iron and vitamin D.
Try:
Salmon Breakfast Scramble Tacos,
Wild Smoked Salmon Pate or
Wild Salmon Patties
Walnuts
Walnuts are another healthy fat powerhouse while also packing protein and fiber. They're also full of nutrients, including iron, calcium and B vitamins, to support ovarian health.
Try:
Chocolate Walnut Energy Bars,
Roasted Walnut Butter or
Vegan Walnut "Meat" Balls
Oysters
Oysters are high in zinc and other vitamins and minerals and are a nutritious protein source. They're also a great source of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids.
Try:
Oysters Au Gratin
Berries
Fiber and phytonutrient-rich berries are also jam-packed with vitamin C and other antioxidants that support healthy inflammation levels.
Try:
Balancing Berry Smoothie for Women,
Berry Smoothie Bowl or
Berry Bliss Balls
Sweet potatoes
Rich and comforting, sweet potatoes contain phytoestrogens, plus beta-carotene, vitamin C and fiber. They contain resistant starch, which is great for supporting healthy digestion and
ovarian health.
Try:
Purple Sweet Potato Cheesecake,
Spicy Sweet Potato Tots, or
Air Fryer Latkes
Lean protein
Lean proteins like chicken and turkey are essential for building cells and facilitating hormonal function. Soy protein is another excellent choice as it contains phytoestrogens and
helps support healthy hormonal balance.
Try:
Cherry Chicken,
Thai Cashew Chicken or
Chicken, Mango and Bell Pepper Salad
Cruciferous veggies
Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are high in fiber and contain phytonutrients like indole-3-carbinol and sulforaphane. These substances
may help the body regulate hormones, support healthy inflammatory responses and support healthy estrogen levels to improve ovarian and hormonal health.
Try:
Broccoli and Pea Risotto,
Lemon Herb Riced Cauliflower or
Roasted Honey Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Beans and legumes
Beans and legumes contain a lot of fiber and iron and contain d-chiro-inositol, which supports ovarian function and insulin reduction.
Try:
Butternut Squash Chili,
Air Fryer Seasoned Chickpeas or
Quick and Easy Bean Burgers
Whole grains
Whole grains are a fiber go-to and come with phytoestrogens called lignans, as well as B vitamins, iron, and magnesium. They are an
essential part of any hormone-supporting diet, backed by
plenty of research.
Try:
Farro Salad with Strawberries and Basil,
Barley Salad or
Farro, Arugula and Grapefruit Salad
Lifestyle choices for ovarian health
Your lifestyle habits also impact hormonal health.
Sleep
Sleep and hormones are intertwined—something you may have noticed during your menstrual cycle, with sleep being more challenging the week before menstruation.
Dr. Bobban Subhadra, a biomedical sciences expert, explains that estrogen helps with REM sleep, which is important for thinking and controlling emotions while also controlling the production of serotonin.
"On the other hand, progesterone has a sedative effect, promoting deep, restorative sleep," says Subhadra. So there's a two-way relationship between sleep and your hormones, with one supporting the other.
Exercise
"The amount of movement and physical activity we do daily makes a huge impact on the hormonal responses of the body," explains
Amy Lee, MD, chief medical officer of Lindora Clinic.
She adds that contracting your muscle fibers sends signals to fat cells and adipose tissues through hormones. "Our heart rate and the activation of our nervous system also cause our brain to release various hormones, which ultimately control how our peripheral organs respond. It is pretty amazing how every part of our body works together to ultimately carry out a mission," she says.
Lee also states that exercise helps with healthy weight maintenance, which supports balanced estrogen levels and ovarian function. "Even a simple brisk walk daily for 60 minutes and being mindful of your diet can help with this."
Stress
Stress and hormones also have a two-way relationship, with your hormonal balance affecting your stress levels and vice versa. Subhadra explains that hormonal fluctuations can impact neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood and emotions. "Fluctuations in these hormones can lead to feelings of anger, irritability or mood swings, which can interfere with the ability to relax," he says.
Subhadra suggests using relaxation techniques and stress management practices to address these hormonal changes, such as mindfulness, meditation, or gentle exercise.
Supplements to help support ovarian health
Some supplements are specially formulated to help support ovarian health and hormonal balance.
Codeage Liposomal Ovarian Inositol and
Codeage Liposomal Ovarian Inositol Powder are great options for this. They combine Myo-Inositol, D-chiro-inositol, and 5-MTHF folate with a special delivery system for better absorption. Plus, they include CoQ10, wild blueberry and pomegranate extracts for extra antioxidant and energy support.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="2/12"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="3/12"][vc_single_image image="178379" img_size="full" onclick="custom_link" css="" link="https://www.vitacost.com/codeage-liposomal-ovarian-inositol-powder-myo-d-chiro-inositol-folate-coq10-phytosome"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="2/12"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="3/12"][vc_single_image image="178378" img_size="full" onclick="custom_link" css="" link="https://www.vitacost.com/codeage-liposomal-ovarian-inositol-supplement-folate-coq10-phytosome-hormonal-balance"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="2/12"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]