It’s a word that parents don’t like to think about when it comes to their children. But as they approach adolescence, there are obvious behaviors that force the question: 
acting strangely lately? Are they sleeping less? Are they moody? Do they worry a lot? Do they feel less connected and loving with themselves or anyone around them? Do they suffer from stomach issues?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, your child’s hormones may have started going wonky.
Hormones are the chemical messengers that regulate several functions of the body, including the rate of growth and development, metabolism, reproduction and many other vital functions. So, any kind of imbalance in the level of hormones can bring about negative changes in the body.
Your child’s body relies heavily on hormones in order to carry out daily bodily functions. From sleeping and metabolizing to energy and mood, hormones are a vital part of life. And when a child’s hormones are imbalanced, the effects can be drastic.
Unfortunately, many conditions that arise from lack of hormone balance are passed off as other conditions. Finding a way to balance these hormones is important for growing bodies. Experts tell us that as we grow, we inevitably become more susceptible to the occurrence of digestive health issues.
The scientific community has long established that gut hormones play a major role in many of our body’s functions. And the stomach is the body’s largest hormone-producing organ, excreting more than 20 different hormone types.
Digestive hormones work in association with the stomach’s extensive nervous system and play a coordinating role in the control of appetite, the digestion of food, the regulation of energy balance and the maintenance of blood glucose levels. What your child consumes can have an enormous impact on their hormone levels. Caffeinated beverages can cause abnormalities in the secretions from the endocrine system, which controls the body’s hormone output. Dairy and meat consumption could also impact the efficiency of this vital system because of additives that may contain animal hormones. Plus, other toxins and pollution found in things like soap and cleaning products can affect endocrine system output. And being overweight or having a general lack of fitness both play a large role in their hormone balance as well.
There are far too many factors that could be contributing to a hormone imbalance to even count. For this reason alone, any parent who may be experiencing the impact of a child’s improperly functioning endocrine system may want to consider the possible benefits of fresh wild yams. Yes, wild yams. Experts and recent research suggest that wild yams might actually help balance hormones.
It’s now understood that wild yams – commonly known for being used to treat multiple intestinal disorders and increasing energy – also possess the ability, if consumed regularly, to naturally balance the body’s hormone levels. Consulting your child’s doctor is always recommended, but if you get the go-ahead, give wild yams a try.
Not only might they fix your child’s attitude and gut issues, they’re also delicious!