BeckyFL Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I had a hysterectomy a few years ago. My Dr. said my August blood work showed that I was not yet in menopause. Recently, though, I have started having a lot of night sweats, a few pimples (haven't had any of those since I was a teen since my skin can be a bit dry), and some hot flashes. I've been looking up natural remedies, but I can be a little distrustful about long term effects of anything... even herbs. I did find this one but I'm not sure about some of the ingredients (take 3 capsules twice a day). It's Nature's Way Change O Life: Supplement Facts Serving Size: 3 Capsules Servings per Container: 60 Amount Per Serving % Daily Value Calories 5 Total Carbohydrate 1 g <1% Proprietary Blend 1.32 g * Black Cohosh (root) Sarsaparilla (root) Siberian Eleuthero (root) Licorice (root) Blessed Thistle (stem, leaf, flower) Dong Quai (root) Pomegranate (seed) *Daily value not established. Other Ingredients: Gelatin (capsule), magnesium stearate. Any thoughts on this one? Or does anyone know of something else that would be safe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan C. Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Hi, The only thing the bothers me is the very long ingredient list. You won't know which has helped or hurt. I have heard you can take Black Cohash for hot flashes, but I haven't tried it. I am right there with you. I had very bad hot flashes last winter, they eased up this past summer, and they are back now, but not as bad as last year. I take a lot of supplements, but added these after research: 1000 IU Vit. E - Carlson's E-Gems Elite, this has all parts of the vit. E, which are necessary Coenzymated Vit. B-6 - Source Naturals, 100 mg. MegaFolinic, bioactive form of folic acid, Source Naturals, 800 mcg. I already take 2000 mcg. sublingual B12, and a B-complex. You need to take the B-complex when you take individual B vitamins. At least one of them does help, because when I skip my vitamins, I am hotter that night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3byzaz Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Hi - I have those Change o Life ones. You have to take quite a few. I prefer the Enzymatic Therapy AM/PM Perimenopause ones - I don't use the PM ones, but can't find the ingredients in the AM ones and it's worth it - I think these help a lot. Also, I take Stress B Complex, a liquid Cal/Mag, DIM - plus, high quality omega 3's (NSI), a good multi, Evening Primrose, Vit D3. OK - that's a lot!! Anyway, I think it has helped - my cycles are better - they have been rough the last couple of months, but I am just in the peri stage. I just added some Sam-E for the rough week of PMS stuff...hoping that helps my mood and my joint pain too!! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyFL Posted February 5, 2011 Author Share Posted February 5, 2011 Thanks so much for the responses thus far. I looked at the Enzymatic Therapy and the reviews were great BUT then I started looking up each ingredient and found the I can't take the Rhodiola Rosea Root. I should have added that I can't have caffeine or stimulants. I'm great without them, but with them I have too many heart palpitations. So that crosses that one out. :-( I do take a good multi and I need to check it to make sure the B's are high enough. I also take fish oil, turmeric and ginger (arthritis). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugarfoot Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I'm taking the one from Women to Women, and it's been really helpful. You only need 2 per day. I'm taking their multi-vitamin packets, as well. Good luck. It's awful to feel out of whack! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Recently, though, I have started having a lot of night sweats, a few pimples, and some hot flashes. I've been looking up natural remedies, but I can be a little distrustful about long term effects of anything... even herbs. I did find this one but I'm not sure about some of the ingredients (take 3 capsules twice a day). It's Nature's Way Change O Life:Any thoughts on this one? Or does anyone know of something else that would be safe? I've generally been happy with Nature's Way. Did you read any of the reviews on amazon and/or vitacost.com I love vitacost for their reviews and prices. Brands I like/trust: Carlson’s Nature’s Way New Chapter Organics NOW Enzymatic Therapy Solgar Source Naturals Twin Labs Anything with a short ingredient list - no soybean oil, no sugar, starches, colorings, etc. – the less things in it, the better There are specific things you can do and take for the symptoms you mentioned. If you'd like me to post them, let me know. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyFL Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 I've generally been happy with Nature's Way. Did you read any of the reviews on amazon and/or vitacost.com I love vitacost for their reviews and prices. Brands I like/trust: Carlson’s Nature’s Way New Chapter Organics NOW Enzymatic Therapy Solgar Source Naturals Twin Labs Anything with a short ingredient list - no soybean oil, no sugar, starches, colorings, etc. – the less things in it, the better There are specific things you can do and take for the symptoms you mentioned. If you'd like me to post them, let me know. :) Thanks, Negin! I would love for you to post them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Becky, I'm just going to post all my tips on peri and menopause. There's stuff there that should address most of your concerns. As far as the few pimples you mentioned, diet is key. Are you drinking too much milk? Cow's milk and refined sugar are the top 2 breakout culprits. You are officially in menopause only after you haven't had a period for a full year. Perimenopause can begin 10 years before menopause, as your hormones begin to fluctuate. Lots of the symptoms overlap. Some women find the symptoms worse in peri than they do after the "pause." • Unusually heavy, irregular, or long-lasting periods • Bleeding mid-cycle, when periods had been regular • Getting your period again after not having had it for 6 months or more • Difficulty concentrating and/or mood swings • Unexplained insomnia, sweating, and/or joint or muscle aches at night • Frequent urination • Vaginal pain or dryness that does not improve with home treatment Do a salivary hormone test at least once a year to see what needs to be supported and watch the numbers. Stress will impact the progesterone which may account for the fact that progesterone, unless you are already taking a topical cream, is so universally deficient. Of course, if you want to know more, the book Before the Change (even if you’re still menstruating) will be eye-opening. Just to be on the safe side, at least take an estradiol/progesterone salivary hormone test so your ratio can be assessed. 300:1 is considered desirable, in favor of progesterone. Most individuals are very progesterone deficient and are overweight, have a sluggish metabolism, are depressed, and have problems sleeping. The difference when a physiological dose of progesterone is given, according to your age and stage, can be life-changing. HEALTHY EATING Limit spicy foods, especially in the evenings Limit refined sugars and processed foods in favor of whole grains Increase your intake of fresh fruits and veggies, as well as good-quality fasts (such as olive oils) Eat cold-water fish for fatty acids Limit alcohol and caffeine Crunch cruciferous veggies – broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower – they have compounds that help the liver flush out artificial estrogens that collect in the body from external sources like pesticides. Aim for 2 servings per day. Leafy greens (including arugula and other salad greens, collards, spinach, and Swiss chard) are high in calcium, magnesium, and vitamin K, so important to bone health, as well as the phytochemicals, lutein and zeaxanthin, that protect both cardiovascular and eye health. If you’re perimenopausal or menopausal, eating your greens—rich in folic acid—can even fight hot flashes and the blues. SUPPLEMENTS Look into a liver-cleansing supplement, such as milk thistle or dandelion tea, to help rid your liver of stress-causing toxins. Chaste Berry (Vitex) or Chaste Tree Berry • Does not contain any hormones, but rather, works on the hypothalamus and pituitary glands, stimulating balanced production of estrogen and progesterone – balances and promotes progesterone • Indicated for a number of menopausal and perimenopausal concerns - It is often used to treat excessive bleeding, fluid retention and breast tenderness. • May inhibit the secretion of prolactin , which stimulates the growth of mammary glands. Excess prolactin may be a risk factor for breast cancer. Chasteberry's influence on prolactin and two other female hormones, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, may also help reduce the menopause-like symptoms of hormonal drugs like tamoxifen • Is a herb that is high in phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are forms of estrogen that are much weaker than the body’s estrogens, but that are capable of blocking the stronger, more damaging estrogens (they can fit into the same receptors in breast cells that estrogens can, thus preventing the estrogen’s ability to dock there). Phytoestrogens also expand the length of the menstrual cycle, possibly lowering the lifetime exposure to estrogen. • Chaste tree berry (vitex) may inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells. It's very gentle and somewhat slow to show its full effects, so give it a couple of months before deciding if it's helping. Normalizes hormone secretion and helps balance estrogen and progesterone 40 mg daily Pregnant and nursing women shouldn't use Chasteberry. There are few drug interactions, but dopamine receptor antagonists can diminish its effectiveness. Rashes are a rare side effect. Because Chasteberry has an effect upon progesterone synthesis, it may not be appropriate for women who have strongly progesterone receptor-positive breast cancer. Some swear by supplements containing Black Cohosh, Red Clover, Evening Primrose Oil, Licorice, etc. yet others suggest avoiding them since they may increase estrogen levels and will possibly raise the risk of breast cancer. The following are some of the herbs with estrogenic activities and should be avoided as much as possible, if that’s what you’re concerned about: • Anise • Hops • Fennel • Black Cohosh • Red Clover • Don Quai • Licorice • Ginseng • Royal Jelly • Peony • Nettle • Sage • Fenugreek • Evening Primrose Oil • Chamomile So, it’s a personal decision … personally, I would only use these as a last resort, when or if all else failed. Nonetheless, I’m going to list the benefits, etc. here … the decision is yours. Nothing has been found to be nearly as effective for menopause symptoms as Black Cohosh. Many Black Cohosh supplements are less potent than they appear. You need to get 540 mg daily. Studies have shown that in sufficient doses, this herb can help alleviate menopausal symptoms in as little as 4 weeks. Puritan’s Pride Black Cohosh 540 mg Black cohosh can reduce hot flashes by 85%. Black cohosh treats hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, vaginal dryness, and anxiety Not all of these supplements contain the estrogenic ingredients above. Read the labels and do your own research. Some may be perfectly fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 OVERALL RELIEF Daily Balance Harmony Enzymatic Therapy AM/PM Menopause Formula Gaia Herbs Phyto-Estrogen NOW Foods Menopause Support Solgar Herbal Female Complex VAGINAL DRYNESS Culturelle Probiotic New Chapter SC Omega 7 Home Health Vitamin E Oil STRESS AND ANXIETY Garden of Life Oceans 3 Healthy Hormones – also good for overall relief Source Naturals L-Theanine DEPRESSION Rainbow Light Complete Menopausal Support Barleans Omega Swirl Fish Oil Nordic Naturals Omega 3D HEAVY BLEEDING The goal is to reduce estrogen levels and increase progesterone levels. Essential fatty acids, beta-carotene, and lutein help promote healthy ovulation and progesterone production in the body. Bioflavonoids (buckwheat, citrus fruit peels and pulp) when combined with vitamin C, moderate estrogen levels and strengthen blood vessels to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding 1500-3000 mg bioflavonoids and 1000-3000 mg Vitamin C daily HERBS – These herbs, alone or in combination – can alleviate or at least mitigate – your menopausal challenges. WILD HOPS reduces hot flashes and night sweats, anxiety, and helps muscles relax. Wild hops can help you sleep 30-120 mg at bedtime Has to be dried to have any medicinal effect Often used in combination w/valerian and lemon balm. ASHWAGANDA. Called “mood food”, this herb calms nerves and lifts spirits SEA BUCKTHORN is also called Omega-7. It combats vaginal dryness and regenerates thinning mucus membranes GINKGO increases circulation and eases depression and brain fog LICORICE ROOT is mildly estrogenic, stimulates the adrenals, and may ease depression. Don’t use if you have high blood pressure. Black Licorice Tea has adrenal-rejuvenating properties – Traditional Medicinals Organic Licorice Root Tea – only have 2 well-brewed cups every other day since licorice can cause a fatigue-inducing potassium imbalance. After 6 weeks, take a 5-day break before repeating the regimen. 1-3 cycles of this helps most women. Do not consume if you’re pregnant or have high blood pressure. RASPBERRY LEAF eases cramping and tones the uterus MOTHERWORT is a lovely herb to calm anxiety. It also helps promote restful sleep. WILD YAM ROOT - Add ¼ cup wild yam root (purchase it cut and sifted) to one pint of cool water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook 15 minutes. Remove from heat and steep an additional 15 minutes. Strain, cool, and pour into an ice cube tray. Freeze. Then place one ice cube in a mug, pour a cup of boiling water over it, and drink the diluted mixture while it’s still warm. Take 1 cube 3 times a day as needed. Wild yam root, well known as a hormone regulator is most often used to treat symptoms of menopause. The root is nutritious and anti-inflammatory. Don’t use this remedy if you’re pregnant or taking birth control pills. SAFFRON promotes calmness and reduces irritability and hot flashes 1 pinch stirred into hot, cooked food daily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 HOT FLASHES According to Chinese medicine, hot flashes are the result of sluggish liver. During menopause, the liver has to go through significant adjustments due to hormonal changes. When the liver is sluggish, the "Chi" (energy flow) in the liver encounters too much resistance due to the adjustments and therefore produce "heat". If the liver is healthy, both the blood flow and "energy flow" are smooth and no "heat" will result. Spicy foods, especially ginger and cinnamon, are very "yang" foods. They congest the liver and produce "heat" that could aggravate hot flashes. Women who suffer from hot flashes may have to avoid these foods. INCREASE ZINC TO INCREASE PROGESTERONE PRODUCTION and curb the copper from water pipes, tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, and soy. Excessive copper equates to estrogen dominance while low progesterone usually correlates with not enough zinc. Copper and zinc need to be in a ratio where zinc is 8 parts to copper's 1. Bring on those zinc supplements (Zinc Plus sold through Uni Key is said to be very good) as well as organic beef, eggs, and natural pumpkin seeds. VITAMIN D3 plays a key role in the synthesis and metabolism of estrogen and progesterone. If you're under 50, take at least 2,000 IU per day. If you're 50 or over, take at least 5,000 IU per day of vitamin D3. Always take your vitamin D with a fat-containing meal to ensure absorption. Your need for vitamin D3 is affected by age, skin color, and the severity of any deficiency MAGNESIUM helps the body break down excess estrogen and ease stress. Load up on almonds, spinach, black beans, and dark chocolate. If you have symptoms of magnesium deficiency (and most of us do) – if you’re feeling edgy, for example; have muscle cramps, suffer insomnia, crave chocolate, or notice increased urination, adjust your calcium-magnesium ratio, so that you’re taking at least as much magnesium or—ideally—twice as much magnesium as calcium. 400-1200 mg daily of Magnesium is helpful but use according to bowel tolerance. Your body knows how much magnesium you can tolerate from bowel tolerance – take as much magnesium as your bowels can tolerate If you can, add 100 mg of magnesium to your nutritional supplements, and increase it by 100 mg every few days until your stools are soft, but not uncomfortably loose. Take in divided doses and with meals to ensure optimal absorption – preferably more at night Calcium, magnesium, and many other minerals are best absorbed when they are bound to an acidic carrier such as citrate, aspartate, picolinate, or amino acid chelate. Minerals need an acidic base to break down and get used. The most absorbable forms are magnesium citrate, glycinate taurate, or aspartate, although magnesium bound to Kreb cycle chelates (malate, succinate, fumarate) are also good. Avoid magnesium carbonate, oxide, sulfate, and gluconate. They are poorly absorbed (and the cheapest and most common forms found in supplements). Side effects from too much magnesium include diarrhea, which can be avoided if you switch to magnesium glycinate. Most minerals are best taken as a team with other minerals in a multi-mineral formula. People with kidney disease or severe heart disease should take magnesium only under a doctor's supervision. REGULAR EXERCISE can improve your mood, lower stress levels, and help you sleep. Increasing your level of activity can reduce hot flashes. Many yoga poses and the regular practice of yoga help relieve menopausal symptoms Practice deep breathing. Inhale deeply through nose, allowing your belly to rise. Exhale slowly and forcefully through the mouth, letting your belly fall. Repeat for 5 minutes 3 times daily, or whenever a hot flash strikes. Once the hot flash passes, ensure the body relaxes fully by inhaling one last time, holding for 3 seconds, and releasing forcefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 PROGESTERONE CREAM Balancing out estrogen with progesterone is important at this time. Progesterone is the brake pedal for estrogen. Not all progesterone creams are alike. Make sure to get one that is natural, organic, bio-identical and not synthetic. Emerita is a very good one which I use. Karuna may also be good, although I’m not completely sure – worth looking into. Both are available from amazon. Ann Louise Gittleman also has one called ProgestaKey. Please keep in mind natural does not imply organic. Many of these creams have not only the main ingredients based on phytoestrogens, but also have the toxic xenohormones, parabens and mineral oil too. They are far from organic. So be aware and ask questions about your creams! Apply ¼ to ½ teaspoon of the progesterone cream directly to your breasts morning and evening. More progesterone is absorbed into breast tissues when it’s applied to them directly, and that’s ultimately where you want most of the progesterone to go. Do not apply it to other areas, even if the instructions tell you to do so. Progesterone receptors are only found in the breasts (and ovaries), so apply directly to the breasts to decrease vascularity. Repeated thermograms prove this is the only correct application method to reduce vascularity and risk. Or to explain this easier, if you cut your thumb and you apply Neosporin to your elbow how effective is that? Apply the cream directly to area that it is needed. It can reduce some signs of menopause when applied indirectly, but when you move it to the breasts you will see a greater decrease in menopause issues and more importantly you are reducing the vascularity in the breasts. As someone here wrote, "For those who turn up their nose at progesterone creams, do know that that Prempro is very different from progesterone. The former is a synthetic, the latter natural. The effects on the body therefore are much different. Also, many women who took Prempro also took Premarin, which aggravated everything. Beware of synthetic progesterone (progestin), which won’t work the way natural or bio-identical progesterone does. Your body has difficulty breaking down the synthetic form, used in birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy, so this altered form creates a potential for toxic effects. In fact, after progestin was added to HRT, women’s cancer risk increased!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 KNOWLEDGE AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE This is what Peela wrote. I love her fabulous advice: Try to look at perimenopause as a wake up call to really take care of yourself. Exercise more – many suggest walking for an hour a day and some yoga Really take care of yourself with healthy eating and sufficient rest. Perimenopause and menopause bring out the imbalances that are already there and exacerbate them. You have to get really comfortable in your own body, be willing to experiment with yourself, and also, become your own authority. Sure, listen to other authorities, read books and websites, but take complete responsibility for your health and wellbeing and take a proactive position. Don’t expect a doctor or medication to rescue you. As far as supplements go, different things work for different people. Many find that chaste tree gives great relief, while others get relief from B6 or Evening Primrose Oil. Sufficient sunshine, healthy exercise and a healthy diet no longer become optional things that you joke about not getting because you just don’t have time. They become mandatory in your 40s – otherwise, you really feel it, or you develop serious health crises. Also, any emotional issues you have never really dealt with come up. Good to grieve, cry, journal, process however works for you (therapy if that helps). Most of us treat our bodies really badly and expect them to just handle it, and you just can’t do that anymore once you start the hormonal rollercoaster. OTHER TIPS Soak your feet in cold water to prevent hot flashes during night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peela Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I had a hysterectomy a few years ago. My Dr. said my August blood work showed that I was not yet in menopause. Recently, though, I have started having a lot of night sweats, a few pimples (haven't had any of those since I was a teen since my skin can be a bit dry), and some hot flashes. I've been looking up natural remedies, but I can be a little distrustful about long term effects of anything... even herbs. I did find this one but I'm not sure about some of the ingredients (take 3 capsules twice a day). It's Nature's Way Change O Life:Supplement Facts Serving Size: 3 Capsules Servings per Container: 60 Amount Per Serving % Daily Value Calories 5 Total Carbohydrate 1 g <1% Proprietary Blend 1.32 g * Black Cohosh (root) Sarsaparilla (root) Siberian Eleuthero (root) Licorice (root) Blessed Thistle (stem, leaf, flower) Dong Quai (root) Pomegranate (seed) *Daily value not established. Other Ingredients: Gelatin (capsule), magnesium stearate. Any thoughts on this one? Or does anyone know of something else that would be safe? Its an ok blend of appropriate herbs but like others have said, theres quite a few ingredients in there- that in itself is ok but what it means is that the ones you really need are in lower quantities. And as others have said- you would probably need a lot of these to have much effect. The serving info is a little confusing- are they saying that one serving has 1.32 grams, and one serving is 3 capsules? Thats not very much per capsule- I would even suspect a filler. I think you could do better, even in a health food store. I think one of the reasons they keep quantities low is so that no one has any adverse reactions. But that also keeps the medicinal effect fairly minimal. I always go for maximum quantity in my herbal remedies and often recommend tripling the dose on the bottle if its just a health food store brand (rather than a professional brand)- but that would be very expensive for that product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalphs Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I like the Natures Way Soy Balance. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyFL Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 Thanks, Negin for all of that detailed information! I really appreciate it!:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I think one of the reasons they keep quantities low is so that no one has any adverse reactions. But that also keeps the medicinal effect fairly minimal. I always go for maximum quantity in my herbal remedies and often recommend tripling the dose on the bottle if its just a health food store brand (rather than a professional brand)- but that would be very expensive for that product. Very good advice. I like the Natures Way Soy Balance.:) Personally, I prefer to avoid soy in supplements, and pretty much in anything. Soy is controversial. Some eat good sources of it - non-GMO, etc. I prefer not to. I ate a lot of good-quality tofu, soy milk, edamame, etc. before having a thermogram a few months ago. They were concerned about my borderline levels of estrogen. They showed me pictures of how soy can affect breast estrogen levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nanbronson Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 That's a pretty long list. The one herbal supplement that helped me fight hot flashes and mood swings was Femestra that contains natural Rice Bran Oil. Rice Bran has plenty of vitamins and minerals and an antioxidant called Gamma Oryzanol that helps reduce menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings and night sweats. Learn more about it at http://www.femestra.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyFL Posted July 4, 2011 Author Share Posted July 4, 2011 I went with Black Cohosh and it took a few weeks, but all hot flashes are GONE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lisatruitt Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 This post is mostly in response to Peela posting for BeckyFL regarding various herbs like licorice, black cohosh, dong quai, etc., that have had some reputation for being estrogenic. In truth some of them that were thought to be estrogenic, like dong quai are not. Others, like red clover and black cohosh are phytoestrogenic. She mentioned phytoestrogenic qualities in the information she shared about vitex, and how the phytoestrogens are weak and they help to balance by bringing your estrogen levels up if they are low and lowering them if they are too high by displacing the stronger estrogens as they plug into the hormone receptors amnd don't allow the stronger ones to plug in and have an effect. The studies that have been done on these herbs have found them to be antineoplastics, a fancy word meaning they inhibit cancer formation. They are almost universally anti inflammatory which is very inhibiting of cancers. These herbs help improve balance and are protective of disease, not something to be feared like they were the equivilent of phamaceutical hormones. My advice would be to work on nutrition first, increasing magnesium to 600 to 800 mg supplemental per day, more the week before periods, as the rise in progesterone causes a precipitous drop in magnesium levels of about 30 percent pre period (I think I learned this at Paul Bergner's website. He is a medical herbalist trained in clinical nutrition) Take one to two b50 complexes and 300 mg of b6 for the week before your period. Up to 1200 mg magnesium just for the week before the period. Don't get too much calcium. The info. that has been out there for some time about getting 2:1 calcium to magnesium was wrong. It should be the other way around. Magnesium keeps calcium in solution and from precipitating into deposits in your body, and is the relaxing mineral. There are quite a few sources that are reporting the realization that magnesium should at least be equal to calcium and probably it is better if it exceedes calcium by a 2:1 ration, but there is still a lot of promotion of the old outdated idea. I have been following the new info for quite a few months now, and it has helped by overall health and hormonal balance a lot. Having too much cal and low mag. can cause gallbladder problems, which I was having a mild case of and that has gone away. Making sure all your minerals are adequate can really help. Concentrace ionic trace minerals is high in magnesium and has all the trace minerals. There is a lot of mineral deficiency these days because of the depleting of the soils. Adding more iodine either with lugol's or iodoral like supplement, and making sure your zinc and potassium levels are good is important. All the minerals are helpful, and lack of them is probably the thing that most negatively effects people's health. As others have said, vitamin d is important, as are essential fatty acids. I follow the dietary advice of the Weston Price foundation, as expounded in Sally Fallon's book Nourishing Traditions, except that I don't do grains, because I don't feel well on them. I get plenty of good quality animal products and fats and I have found this to help rather than hurt. I have seen some sources recommend to lower or avoid saturated fats which I think is incorrect advice and counterproductive. Your body needs these fats, and cholesterol to make hormones. You will find if you study the material at the westonaprice foundation at www.westonaprice.org, the idea that animal products and fats are dangerous or disease causing is not and has not ever been supported by experience via the field of anthropology or the study of the world's people groups and their diets, or sound, methodologically correct studies. I have just about come to the conclusion that if you do the opposite of whatever is being recommended by the medical industry and media you will probably be doing the right thing. If you do all these things you will probably be greatly improved. If you however still have some symptoms you need or want to address, try some of the herbal formals or single herbs and see how they do for you. You can fairly easily get an idea of whether your estrogen or progesterone or both is low by symptoms. If you are having vaginal dryness that is a very good indicator that your estrogen is waning. There are some good symptom lists online and in books that you can use to gauge yourself. In my opinion, and that of many other herbalists, herbs are much safer, the ones that have been used traditionally and safely for thousands of years, than any pharmaceutical hormone preparation, bioidentical or otherwise. When you find an herb or formula that helps smooth out the symptoms and feel more balanced, that is a good thing that is improving your health and makes you less prone to illness and disease. Some info on vitex that I don't think Peela talked about is that it increases both estrogen and progesterone, but has a stronger effect on progesterone, so if progesterone is what is mainly low for you, it would be a good choice. I have found that it is best to use it in the second half of the cycle, from ovulation until the period, as this is supposed to be the high progesterone phase. Some people have had their hormones go even more out of whack on vitex, but I think it was because they were using it at inappropriate times in their cycle, maybe continuously, and maybe using too much. In the one eath herbal sourcebook, by alan tillotson, he recommends, I think, one to two grams a day of the whole or powdered berries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 evening primrose oil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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