Organs and tissues within your body use chemical signals, called hormones, to communicate with each other. Hormone levels can affect a number of processes -- your reproductive health, your metabolism and even your brain functioning. Several vitamins from your diet play a role in organ functioning, and specific vitamins can affect hormone production and signaling within your body.
Vitamin B-6
One vitamin that plays a beneficial role in maintaining a proper hormone balance is vitamin B-6, also called pyridoxine. Specifically, vitamin B-6 plays a role in regulating hormones in your brain, including the hormone melatonin. The levels of melatonin in your body fluctuate based on exposure to light, and this fluctuation helps determine your daily sleep cycle. Consuming adequate vitamin B-6 allows for normal melatonin production, proving beneficial for the hormone balance within your brain.
Vitamin A
Another vitamin that promotes healthy hormone levels is vitamin A, or retinol. Retinol in your body interacts with the hormones secreted by your thyroid. This interaction allows your body to respond properly to thyroid hormones, preventing hypo- or hyper-thyroidism that can develop from defects in thyroid hormone signaling. As a result, adequate vitamin A intake can benefit your body's hormone balance, by supporting the function of your thyroid.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D also proves beneficial to preventing a hormone-related imbalance. Vitamin D interacts with your parathyroid gland, and hormones secreted from this gland regulate vitamin D activity within your body. Inadequate vitamin D consumption can cause secondary hyperparathyroidism, a condition that leads to abnormal parathyroid function. In severe cases, this deficiency can cause bone loss, leading to softened and rubbery bones.
Consider Possible Interactions
While some vitamins aid in proper hormone synthesis or proper hormone gland functioning, other vitamins may disrupt your hormone levels in some cases. For example, vitamin C supplements interact with some hormone-based medications -- such as contraceptive birth control pills or menopause-related hormone therapy -- increasing the levels of estrogen in your body. To avoid unwanted effects of vitamins on your hormone levels, consult your doctor before you take any vitamin supplement.
