To Pause or Not to Pause

Most women in their 30’s and 40’s are not thinking of pre-menopause, perimenopause, or even menopause, but the symptoms of these conditions seem to be occurring earlier in woman’s lives than even a decade ago.

While the usual symptoms of mood swings, night sweats, brain fog, hot flashes and sticking one’s head in the freezer to retreat from a sudden heat wave are expected later in a woman’s life, the early onset of even one of these symptoms has millions of women (and their significant other) puzzled and bewildered at the untimely arrival of these issues.

Early onset of menopause symptoms is caused by shifting estrogen and progesterone hormone levels. These shifts are difficult to diagnose in that in pre-menopause the cause can be elevated estrogen (estrogen dominance) instead of decreased estrogen (in menopause). Also, progesterone levels can decline quickly further exacerbating the imbalance.

Why Me?

Dietary (low fiber) and lifestyle (high stress) issues are a threat to hormonal health and getting your antioxidant and liver protection from IDNutrition aside, there are other factors involved. Some would argue that in addition to the synthetic estrogens from oral contraceptives, we are over-exposed to estrogens and xenoestrogens (synthetic estrogens) in our food, especially meat and dairy. Even the use of plastic packaging for food and water or microwaving food in plastic containers adds to the xenoestrogenic load. Added to this is exposure to toxins in the environment such as PCBs, pesticides, and phthalates that can all upset hormonal balance. These are referred to as endocrine disruptors and are threatening the quality of health of our young women and their families.

Here Comes the Cavalry!

IDLife has recently added the Women’s Health Formula to IDNutrition, which can help alleviate some of these symptoms as well as help re-balance your hormones with targeted nutrients.

The symptoms of pre-menopause and/or perimenopause can be unique to each individual, but this proprietary combination of nutrients was specifically formulated by relying on clinical studies to support some of the most common challenges.

• Grape Seed Extract (GSE or Proanthocyanadin) is rich in polyphenol antioxidants which have been found to help alleviate symptoms of hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety and insomnia while increasing muscle mass.
• L-Theanine and Rhodiola Rosea help lower elevated stress hormones thereby reducing anxiety, fatigue and nighttime muscle tension while helping to lift mood, increase libido and improve memory, concentration and sleep. L-Theanine does this by increasing the brain chemical GABA, the number one calming neurotransmitter. Rhodiola Rosea helps by influencing key brain chemicals, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, and natural feel-good opioids such as beta-endorphins.
• Chaste Berry Extract has been shown to help regulate the balance of estrogen and progesterone in the body and increase the production of dopamine, which all assist in relieving hot flashes, dizziness, irritability and depression.
• DIM (Di-indolymethane) and Milk Thistle may both contribute to avoiding menopausal weight gain. The phytonutrient DIM and Broccoli Extract shift the way that estrogen is metabolized in our bodies which means increased fat burning and decreased fat storage.
• Milk Thistle is a cleansing herb for liver detoxification and is known to assist with ridding the body of excess estrogens, helping ensure that fat is turned into fuel. This helps the liver avoid being overwhelmed with breaking down the abundance of hormones instead of adequately making use of the fat for fuel.

The results of these studies suggest that supplementation of the Women’s Health formula should be considered for those struggling with these pre-menopause and/or perimenopause symptoms.

The Takeaway

Pre-menopause and perimenopause can be caused by hormone fluctuation. The usual pattern of hormonal imbalance reflected by estrogen dominance and decline in progesterone levels is leading to:

• mood swings
• night sweats
• weight gain
• hot flashes
• brain fog
• fatigue
• insomnia
• reduced sex drive

These symptoms are now affecting women in their 30’s and 40’s when previously the onset would start in their 50’s. This is likely due to dietary and lifestyle issues, plus the environmental toxic actors called endocrine disruptors.

IDNutrition’s new Women’s Health Formula is a unique combination of ingredients that helps reduce these mind-numbing symptoms as well as attack their “cause” to help re-balance estrogen and progesterone, helping to restore our happy homes.

-Paul Sullivan, IDLife Chief Formulator