EATING THE RAINBOW… FOODS TO EAT TO BALANCE THE 7 POINTS OF YOUR ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

I’m sure you know there are foods that are better for certain parts of your body. You know that fish is brain food, oranges are a good source of vitamin C, which helps with your immunity, and well… chocolate is just good for your heart, literally and figuratively.

By eating certain foods, we can help our bodies and our endocrine system function more efficiently and effectively.

To make this easier… I’ve paired up colors and foods to help you remember that eating the colors of the rainbow, isn’t just to add color in your life, but can help your overall health, mentally and physically.

What Is The Endocrine System

The endocrine system is made up of glands and these glands release hormones into the bloodstream and these hormones travel to cells throughout our whole body. The endocrine hormones help control mood, growth and development, the way our organs work, metabolism, and of course, reproduction. Here I’m going to focus on the 7 major glands of our endocrine system.

1. Adrenal Glands

The Adrenals are what we call instinctual, it’s your everyday need from survival to your energy. They are located at the base of your body… think of them as the root of your body, where the energy flows to activate your spine, legs, and even bum.

Your adrenal system is going to be associated with the power color Red. You will want to grab red foods, like strawberries, beets, or red meat. Your adrenals require foods that are higher in protein, along with healthy fats from nuts and nut butters.

2. Ovaries/Testes Glands

These are the center for sexual energy, creativity, and fruitfulness. And nooo…. this isn’t all just about sex. The hormones that are released from these organs are vital to our optimal health, energy, brain function, aging and are about creativity and loving yourself.

Orange is the color of passion and can help fuel this important endocrine point of your body. When you think of this one, think… emotions and mood enhancers. You want foods that are indulgent like rich dark chocolates, grass-fed butter, and nuts, food that feeds your senses. Or foods of the color Orange, like pumpkin, mangos, oranges, or maybe even chocolate-covered oranges!

3. Pancreas

The third point of the endocrine system is the Pancreas, an organ located in the abdomen. It plays an essential role in converting the food we eat into fuel for the body’s cells. The pancreas has two main functions, it helps in digestion and regulates blood sugar. This is why it might be known as the power organ. Think of the saying… Follow Your Gut. Because this organ is related so closely to the gut, it can help with one’s self-confidence, self-discipline, and the ability to even achieve goals. Who would have thought?

Your core or the gut can be associated with the healing power of yellow. Choose yellow, starchy, and easily digestible foods like pineapple, squash, bananas, and citrus fruits that can give you instant energy as your pancreas’ enzymes can break them down quickly and into your system fast. Room temperature fluids and lemon water also help to cleanse and restore your GI Tract as well.

4. Thymus

This gland sits between your lungs and near the heart. It makes white blood cells called T-lymphocytes that fight infection and are crucial for you, as your immune system develops as children. The Thymus does begin starts to shrink after puberty, which is why it is important even at a young age to eat those greens and continue to while we age.

The Thymus can be represented by Greens… eat all the green food your thymus desires! Add fruits and vegetables into your diet like kiwi fruit, spinach, kale, green apples, pears, chard, lettuce, broccoli, peas, avocados, cabbage, peppers, zucchini, grapes, and celery.

5. Thyroid

The Thyroid gland is not just a little butterfly organ that sits on your throat. This organ secrets hormones that impact a host of vital body functions, including heart rate, skin maintenance, growth, temperature regulation, fertility digestion, brain development, and bone maintenance. And importantly to us women… our metabolism. Its correct functioning depends on a good supply of iodine from the diet.

It might help to think of iodine as coming from the ocean. So foods coming from the ocean and foods in the shades of blue can help with Thyroid function. Blueberries are powerful healing food for your throat. You also want to pick foods rich in iodine, like kelp, dulse, nori, and other sea veggies that come from the blue sea. Also choose soothing teas that coat and comfort your throat, will definitely help.

6. Pineal

This gland is located in the center of your Brian. It is associated with melatonin production, it tells us when to sleep and when to wake up. This gland can be connected to clairvoyance, intuition, imagination, visualization, and intelligence.

When you think of the Pineal gland, think of relaxation like the night sky, stars, or the deep ocean. These are all represented by the color Indigo or Royal Blue. Here you will want foods that are going to be lighter, ones that help ignite your relaxation or imagination.

Foods like berries, nuts, and herbs. You also want to reduce sugar and alcohol intake, for these can inhibit your creative process and your stress and sleeping patterns. And think about it… sugar and alcohol always give you headaches as is! So probably not a good idea if you are focusing on your Pineal Gland health.

7. Pituitary

The Pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain and is often considered the most important part of the endocrine system. It secretes endorphins… (you know, the stuff that makes us happy), as well as controlling several other endocrine glands, and regulating the ovulation and menstrual cycle.

Oh… and let’s not forget, it regulates bone and tissue growth in addition to playing a role in the absorption of nutrients and minerals. It’s also responsible for the secretion of prolactin, a hormone vital to activating milk production in breastfeeding mothers; thyrotropin, which stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones vital to metabolic regulation; and corticotropin, which you NEED to stimulate the adrenal gland and the “fight-or-flight” response.

So, as you can tell this organ is VERY, VERY important! It pretty much lines up all of our other points of the endocrine system. Therefore, it can be represented by enlightenment or maybe a connection to our life’s purpose and even your spirituality. It’s like when your body is all lined up and working properly… you feel amazing and ready to take on the world!

Ok, so this one is a bit tricky, it doesn’t have to do with food at all. To be able to tap into your spiritual and deep purpose and aline that organ with all the others, fasting is the key.

Religions and cultures all over the world fast during different times of the month to even parts of the year. Fasting is not only great for our minds but our bodies as well. Here is where we can remind our bodies that they are not controlled by our carnal desires but by our powerful minds. Plus it’s a great way to detox too!

Btw… fasting doesn’t mean you go days without eating! See how intermittent fasting is amazing for your mind and body.

Feeling Hormonal?

Remember the endocrine system is made up of glands that release very important hormones to other glands, organs, and cells throughout your body. By eating the best foods for your system, getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, and fasting during the appropriate times, you can achieve optimal health and feel amazing!

So, the next time you are out food shopping, remember to eat the colors of the rainbow. Not only are you adding color to your life, but you are also helping balance out your endocrine system with all the best nutrients and vitamins, your body and mind crave.

When we age… our endocrine system might just need a little extra help…