To Protect Your Heart, Attend to Your Hormones

The heart is multi-faceted: both the the center of our circulatory system and the center of our emotional system. We feel things with our hearts, we connect to other people with our hearts, we love from our hearts, and when we follow our hearts, we follow our dreams.But how often do we actually do these things?As women, our hearts should not be overlooked, although they often are. With heart disease being the number one killer of women, we at FLO take it as a sign that even more attention should be on protecting the heart. And the best place to start is by balancing your hormones. Let us explain:What most don’t realize is that mismanaged blood sugar is at the root of heart disease. Elevated sugar in the bloodstream causes triglyceride levels to rise and plaque in the arteries to build up - all to counteract the acidic effects of too much sugar streaming through the blood.On that same note, it’s not a coincidence that most women with hormonal imbalances are dealing with blood sugar imbalances as well. PCOS is one of the more common examples of this connection, but it’s also a factor in other conditions such as PMS, PMDD, ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, and infertility.Not being aware of your blood sugar is a common form of body-disconnect in women. If you often skip meals, power through your work day without thinking about your body, or find yourself reaching for sugar and carbs often, chances are this is an area that you could use support with!It’s an act of self-love to feed your body in a way that keep your blood sugar balanced, and when you have this foundation you’ll be that much more able to give and receive love freely with others in your life. You’ll also be around for much longer, since how you treat your body in your 20s, 30s, and 40s is a big indicator of how you will age and feel in the future.So do yourself - and your loved ones - a favor and learn how to attend to your hormones as a foundation for heart health!Here are a few ways you can started.3 tips for heart and hormonal health:

• Don’t skip breakfast! It truly is the most important meal of the day. Not eating breakfast - or eating breakfast that is high in sugar - will set you up for sharp spikes and falls in your blood sugar balance throughout the day. It will not end well. ;)
• Take a calcium/magnesium supplement at night. The powdered ionic form is best - we love the Natural CALM brand. Studies have shown that magnesium deficiency can lead to high blood pressure, and that supplementing with magnesium can decrease risk of death from heart disease. In addition, both calcium and magnesium are essential for hormonal health and period regulation. Your heart and your ovaries love each other - so help them do their jobs!
• Connect to your heart daily. Notice the distinction between how you feel and how you are thinking about something. Choose to go with your heart twice a week, for starters! If you need help tapping inwards, a simple meditation we love is to place one hand on your heart, one hand on your belly, and take 3 deep breaths - feeling your belly and chest expanding with each inhale.

We also invite you to check out our WomanCode System if you are someone who’s dealing with hormonal issues and a blood sugar imbalance. We delve deep into sustainable blood sugar management, as well as other key facets of hormonal health. Download our PROGRAM GUIDE to find more about how it all works and what it could do for you!