10 Hormone Balance Supplements For Energy, Mood & Cancer Prevention
Women and men have multiple sex hormones, including testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen. However, women typically have more estrogen and progesterone than testosterone, and men have more estrogen and testosterone than progesterone. These hormone balance supplements are natural tools to increase your hormone levels with minimal to no side effects, and they occur in nature!
I am not a doctor, I am not your doctor, and it is important to do blood work when taking supplements that impact your hormones.
Suppose you do not want to take an individual hormone balance supplement. In that case, it is beneficial to take a liquid veggie cap from Gaia to give you the benefit of the fast-acting and potent product without having to taste a liquid extract! A supplement such as the Gaia Women’s Balance is also a blend of herbs that offers support for menstruation and pre-menopause concerns.
- Menopause Transition & Menstrual Cycle Support: This blend helps with occasional hot flashes
- Helps maintain hormone balance to support overall well-being
Table of Contents
Types of Estrogen
There are three different types of estrogen: estradiol, estriol, and estrone. Estradiol is the dominant estrogen that both men and women produce. Estriol is high when a woman is pregnant, and Estrone is the form common in menopause.
Estrogen helps increase muscle mass and improves the regeneration of skeletal muscles.
During the middle ages, menopause causes a decrease in estrogen and progesterone. Decreased estrogen can cause hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety, night sweats, and an increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis.
Hormone replacement therapy increases naturally declining hormones but comes with increased risks of heart attacks, stroke, and breast cancer. However, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a natural alternative that uses plant medicine to increase hormones naturally by teaching your body how to produce those hormones again. This is different from conventional medicine, where your body can become dependent on hormone treatments and will not naturally produce them.
Progesterone
Progesterone is a hormone in men and women, but in higher quantities in women. Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum (a structure that develops in an ovary) as well as from the placenta.
Progesterone is often low in women, especially those who struggle with estrogen dominance and the way to resolve this is to supplement with progesterone creams or a prescription for bioidentical hormones.
- Purely powerful, our paraben-free cream provides 450mg of USP Progesterone per ounce, or 20mg per ¼ teaspoon serving.
- Used twice daily, our 4-ounce tube of Pro-Gest Balancing Cream with Vitamin D3 will last about two months. Balance is everything.
Progesterone is beneficial for cognitive function and mood, relieving PMS symptoms, balancing out estrogen dominance, and cancer prevention via slowing excessive cell growth.
Cholesterol is needed to produce all sex hormones as well as pregnenolone, a parent hormone to progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone.
Hormone Balancing Supplements
1. DHEA
DHEA can increase weight loss, cognitive function, and estrogen and testosterone levels.
When a woman is pregnant, the baby’s natural DHEA production causes its mom to produce increased levels of estriol. DHEA is a hormone produced naturally in your body and is a precursor to other sex hormones. DHEA is predominantly secreted in the adrenals, central nervous system, and “theca cells” of ovarian follicles.
This is why stress affects women’s hormones dramatically due to the production of sex hormones in the adrenal glands.
Estrogen is synthesized from DHEA, and 1/2 of androgen production comes from DHEA peripheral tissues.
In a research study, DHEA did increase Estradiol (E2) estrogen for as long as 6 hours after supplementation.
Aromatase is an enzyme that converts testosterone and other androgens to estrogen. This can be an issue for men who are taking testosterone, and it converts to estrogen.
DHEA Benefits
- Decrease insulin resistance
- Reduce inflammatory cytokines
- Increases Estrogen and Testosterone
- Improve bone density
- Weight loss
It has been shown beneficial for women to take 15mg per day and men to take 25-50mg per day.
- DHEA is the body's most abundant circulating hormone. But levels of the hormone begin to decline over time. Supplementing with DHEA can help you support healthy hormone levels and promote healthy immune function and circulatory health. It also helps maintain your healthy mood, lean muscle mass, sexual function and more.
- BODY COMPOSITION, MOOD & MORE – In a clinical study, elderly individuals promoted strength and lean muscle mass from resistance exercise after ten months of supplementation with DHEA. It has also been shown to offer beneficial cardiovascular effects and promote bone health.
- A DHEA regimen helps promote strength and lean muscle mass. It also supports memory, mood, cognition and overall brain health
- BETTER BONES - In a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, one year of DHEA supplementation helped support bone mineral density in the hips of older adults and spinal bone mineral density in older women.
There are three different types of estrogen: estradiol, estriol, and estrone. Estradiol is the dominant estrogen that both men and women produce. Estriol is high when a woman is pregnant, and Estrone is the form common in menopause.
2. Red Clover
Red clover is a perennial herb made up of isoflavones which allow it to alter estrogen levels.
Red clover has been shown to decrease hot flashes in menopausal women. It also slightly decreased follicle-stimulating hormone and sex-hormone binding globulin.
Isoflavones are phytoestrogens (plant estrogens) that have a strong estrogenic effect.
Furthermore, red clover is beneficial for gut health in that it has flavanoids that increase the tightness of intestinal junctions and increase integrity.
Red Clover Benefits
- Hot Flash Relief
- Night Sweats relief
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Antioxidant
- Lowered postprandial glucose (post-meal)
- Bone density
- Increased lean muscle mass
- Decrease of brown adipose tissue
- Reduces exercise fatigue
- It offers tremendous benefits of 2000 mg of dried plant per serving.
- Nature's Answer alcohol-free extracts are produced using alcohol, water, and natural extractants and maintain their natural holistic balance.
3. Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex)
Vitex agnus-castus is typically referred to as vitex” or “vitex berry” and has Mediterranean roots. It treats premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Vitex Chaste Tree has dopaminergic properties useful for women with depression and ADHD.
Vitex Chaste Tree has decreased the physical symptoms of Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Vitex Benefits
- Fertility Support
- Uterine Fibroid Support
- Polycystic Ovarian Support
- Increases Red Blood Cells
- Increases Progesterone levels
- Acne Support
- Mood Support
- Hormone Balance: Vitex supports healthy progesterone levels, helping you maintain a regular cycle
- Vitex (Chaste Tree) Supplement: Traditionally used to support hormone & reproductive health
- Supports Women's Health: Vitex supports well-being during menstrual cycle & menopausal transition
4. Sage Leaf
Sage leaf (Saliva Officinalis) has positive effects on hot flashes. Although hot flashes are not a concern, they can decrease your quality of life and also signal that your estrogen is decreasing.
Sage leaf is a phytoestrogen, and it has been used to treat menopause pain, anxiety, hypoglycemia, and antibiotic properties.
A decrease in sex hormones tells the noradrenaline to increase your body temperature, causing hot flashes.
Sage Leaf Benefits
- Decreases fatigue
- Decreases hot flashes
- Decreases panic
- Increased concentration
- Flushing
- Improves sleep quality
- May support general well-being, Gut Health, Digestive Support and Mental Clarity.
- PURE / POTENT: Absorbed more quickly than tablets or capsules
5. Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is a perennial also known as baneberry. Black cohosh combined with primrose oil is an effective treatment for hot flashes.
Black cohosh can reduce hot flashes due to its estrogenic properties. However, menopausal symptoms can also be alleviated by mechanisms of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Black cohosh can work through a serotonergic mechanism.
Black cohosh works by binding eight serotonin subtypes, including two different 5-HTs. This works similarly to an antidepressant in that it prevents serotonin reuptake which boosts mood.
Black Cohosh Benefits
- Boosts serotonin causing increased mood
- Reduces hot flashes via serotonin
- Increases Nitric Oxide
- Lowers blood pressure
- Formulated to absorb quickly, Emerita Phytoestrogen Body Cream is made with Black Cohosh, Ginseng and Red Clover – all phytoestrogens.
- You can use Emerita Phytoestrogen Body Cream on its own or as a companion product to progesterone cream for optimal support in achieving or maintaining balance at midlife.
6. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a hormone produced by the kidneys and is responsible for calcium absorption, and use along with magnesium and vitamin K. Low vitamin d levels have been reported in women suffering from endometriosis, infertility, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Endometriosis is said to be caused by an impaired immune system and inflammation, causing this excess tissue growth. Vitamin D’s role in supporting immunity can be responsible for decreasing endometriosis.
PCOS is a prevalent endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age. PCOS causes insulin resistance, obesity, and other characteristics such as male-patterned baldness. Research shows that vitamin D improves positive effects on insulin response and menstrual cycles. In addition, lower levels of vitamin D were reported in obese women with PCOS than in those without PCOS.
Insulin sensitivity and lower fasting glucose were reported in pregnant women with higher levels of vitamin D.
Women with vitamin D levels below 37.5 nmol/l were four times more likely to be required to deliver their babies via cesarean section than vaginal birth. Pregnant women also have an increased risk of bacterial vaginosis in women with low vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D is not only a great hormone balance supplement due to it’s ability to increase estradiol and progesterone but also a great energizer!
Vitamin D Benefits
- Bone metabolism
- Calcium absorption
- Regular cell growth (cancer-fighting)
- Immunity
- Fights insulin resistance
- Reduces risk of metabolic syndrome
- Increases chance of vaginal delivery in pregnant women
- Reduces inflammatory cytokines
Vitamin D is SUCH an affordable supplement that everyone should be taking. I like to take the 50,000 I.U., but this 10,000 I.U soft gel is a great start!
- Structural Support
- Helps Maintain Strong Bones
- Supports Immune System
- 10,000 I.Us per softgel
- 8 month supply
7. Magnesium
Magnesium is vital for over 600 processes, including blood sugar balance, hydration, bone metabolism, and protein synthesis.
Magnesium is stored in the bones, muscles, soft tissues, and fluids. It is required for bone formation, activating vitamin D, and balancing out calcium. Calcium makes your heart contract; magnesium helps it relax.
Most people are deficient in magnesium which causes muscle spasms, anxiety, depression, migraines, soreness, fatigue, and more.
Foods rich in magnesium include fish, vegetables, berries, dark chocolate, and beans.
Pregnant women have a higher risk of magnesium deficiency, which can impact fetal development and an increased risk of premature labor. Supplementing with magnesium can reduce the risk of newborn insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome as a child or an adult.
Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia can cause liver and kidney damage and high blood pressure. Magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salt) reduces the risk of eclampsia by up to 50%.
SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) has been hypothesized to correlate with impaired thermoregulation causing dysthymia.
Magnesium reduces pregnancy-induced leg cramps and asthma in children. Asthma can be reduced via magnesium supplementation by vascular relaxation.
Magnesium Benefits
- Balances blood sugar
- Neuroprotective fetal benefits
- Glutamate blocking
- Improved cognitive function in newborns
- Decreases the risk of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia
- Lowered risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)
- Decreased risk of cerebral palsy in children
- Electrolyte balance
- Leg cramps
- Capsules contain 400 mg per serving of elemental magnesium from fully reacted magnesium glycinate, a more rapidly absorbed amino acid mineral complex from Albion. Delivered in easy-to-swallow vegetable capsules for maximum nutrient assimilation and absorption.
8. Omega 3s
Omega 3 fatty acids are commonly found in fish, hence fish oil supplements. However, omega 3s can be found in grass-fed beef and butter, chia seeds, and flax seeds. Supplementation is a great way to increase your omega-3s without the risk of high mercury consumption from eating a ton of fish.
Omega 3s have been shown to fight cancer and increase estrogen levels in postmenopausal women with moderate exercise. Omega 3s signaled estrogen’s pro-proliferative and prosurvival effects to cause cell death in breast cancer. This research was done with a very low dosage of vitamin D, 50,000 I.U’s per week, and 300mg of Omega 3s taken daily.
It is recommended to test your vitamin D levels, but most people are deficient, and a 10,000 IU dose daily is a great place to start for optimized hormones and at least 1,000-2,000mg of Omega 3s per day minimum.
Omega 3s helped lower serum ALT (aminotransferase), in which high levels of ALT show signs of liver damage. Omega 3s lowered these as well as improved kidney function. The kidneys and liver help the body use sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Kidney disease contributes to ovarian dysfunction in women and disruption of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPA axis). This disrupts cortisol production, which causes elevated stress levels. Kidney disease causes impaired ovulation due to decreased levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). There is an increase in prolactin production, which causes a decrease in luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which causes an absence of estradiol estrogen, which causes irregular periods.
Therefore consuming an omega 3-rich diet and supplementing with omega 3s and vitamin d can be a holistic approach to taking hormone-balancing supplements.
Omega 3 Benefits
- Fighting inflammation
- Increases estrogen
- Increases calcium levels
- Reduces risks of liver and kidney toxicity
This supplement is very high in Omega 3s capsules, one of the highest I have seen. Make sure you look at the number of omegas and NOT the number of mg of fish oil.
- Made with 1360 mg of EPA and 670 mg of DHA omega-3 fatty acids per serving; Designed to exceed international standards to ensure safety from pollutants like mercury and PCBs
- Take 1-2 capsules per day
9. Progesterone Cream
Progesterone is found in men and women but in higher amounts in women. Progesterone is a calming hormone that improves sleep and mood. Progesterone is predominantly produced in the adrenal glands, and the rest is produced in the ovaries. This is why there is a strong correlation between women’s hormone levels and high stress.
Progesterone cream was applied topically in postmenopausal women and decreased the depth and wrinkle count.
Bioidentical hormone therapy is administered using plant-based estrogen, testosterone, or progesterone. Progesterone is offered in a cream either over the counter or through a prescription. Estrogen and testosterone are offered in pellet form, pills, or injections.
Progesterone can cause sleepiness which is why it is not offered in pellet form and is recommended to take before bed. Progesterone helps balance out estrogen by preventing the development of endometrium hyperplasia from excess estrogen.
When using progesterone cream, it is absorbed through the skin and bypasses the liver. This is a great option for anyone with gut issues, as gut issues can cause malabsorption.
Progesterone Cream Benefits
- Increases skin elasticity
- Increases progesterone levels (significant for individuals with gut issues)
- Decreases risk of breast cancer
- Improves sleep
- Increases fertility & healthy pregnancy
- Relieves PMS symptoms
- Eases anxiety
- Beneficial for endometriosis (slowing excess tissue growth)
- Boosts energy
- Stimulates the thyroid
- 20 mg of quality-tested progesterone per pump
- INSTRUCTIONS: Premenopausal women, use 14 days prior to the first day of menstruation, discontinue and repeat. Menopausal women, use for 21 days, discontinue for 7 days and repeat
- Purely powerful, our paraben-free cream provides 450mg of USP Progesterone per ounce, or 20mg per ¼ teaspoon serving.
- Used twice daily, our 4-ounce tube of Pro-Gest Balancing Cream with Vitamin D3 will last about two months. Balance is everything.
10. Dong Quai
Dong Quai also known as Angelica Sinensis is used in Chinese medicine. It supports circulation and menstrual cramping, and there are potential estrogenic effects.
Research shows that Dong Quai decreased the frequency and intensity of hot flashes.
Dong Quai Benefits
- Anti-inflammatory
- Reduces hot flashes
- Decreases night sweats
- Healthy hormonal balance
- It offers tremendous benefits of 2000 mg of dried plant per serving. Nature's Answer alcohol free extracts are produced using alcohol, water and natural extractants and maintain their natural holistic balance.
11. Maca
There are three different forms of maca typically sold in supplement form (red, yellow, and black); however, there have been 13 different colors of maca discovered. Each form of maca has a different use/benefit, and typically you receive only the yellow form when purchasing maca in the stores.
Maca is a Peruvian plant with essential amino acids, iron, and calcium.
Red and black maca support bone health and reverse osteoporosis. Black maca improves memory and learning (which can also be decreased due to trauma and excess stress).
Maca Benefits
- Antistress benefits
- Reverses osteoporosis
- Neuroprotective
- Increases libido
- Increases memory
I first learned about maca from this company that introduced me to the three different forms of maca. Some brands only contain yellow, which is great but to get increased benefits from maca, it is best to get all three types.
- Peruvian Superfood * Adaptogen Root perfect for Men and Women
- 100% Gelatinized Maca to avoid toxic enzymes and increase digestibility to 99.9%
- All 3 Colors of Maca Root in 1 (60% Red, 20% Black, 20% Yellow)
- Maca, also known as Peruvian Ginseng, is a time-tested botanical highly prized for its nutritional value and health promoting properties.
Conclusion
These hormone-balancing supplements are a great addition to healthy lifestyle choices. These supplements will greatly complement the balanced foods, self-care, and exercise needed to balance your hormones.
Originally posted 2022-12-30 20:51:06.
Megan Santiago
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