Natural Skin Lightening – Glutathione and Vitamin C [Kenya Application]

by Simon | May 8, 2022 | Skin Care Supplements & Cosmetic Guides

Here’s a simple guide to natural and safe skin lightening with glutathione and Vitamin C – and how you can get these in Kenya!

Lots of women have tried many methods of skin lightening – from using all types of cosmetics, to applying chemicals that bleach their skin in a quest to have a lighter skin.

Others get potentially dangerous injections to bleach and lighten their skin.

Unfortunately most of these chemicals can cause harm both to your skin and your general health.

But did you know you can have a lighter skin safely?

Enter Glutathione and Vitamin C – The Safe Way to Lighten Your Skin

First, a brief history:

Glutathione is an antioxidant produced by every cell in the body. It’s called a master antioxidant, because it’s the most powerful antioxidant that also replenishes other antioxidants in the body. It also replenishes vitamins C and E.

However, glutathione production decreases with age, poor nutrition, stress, toxins.

Taking Glutathione has many benefits, such as:

It boosts the immune system to fight diseases
Glutathione eliminates free radicals in the body – this brightens and lightens the skin by clearing out hyper-pigmentation and inhibiting melanin production
It’ used as an anti-aging agent – it helps clear fine lines and wrinkles
It reduces inflammation in the body
It’s a powerful detox agent that also reduces oxidative stress
It increases metabolism, so you feel more energetic
Boosts mental clarity
It helps improve sleep quality

How Glutathione Lightens The Skin

Skin lightening properties of glutathione were discovered by accident. Because skin lightening has so much demand especially in Asia and Africa, many scientific studies consistently show that glutathione lightens the skin.

When taken at higher doses (usually 500 mg and above), glutathione shows skin lightening as well as age defying effects!

Glutathione inhibits Tyrosinase enzyme, which alters the pathway of melanin metabolism – turning dark melanin pigmentation (eumelanin) into light pigmentations (Phaeomelanin).

Continuous and consistent supplementation will result into gradual skin lightening (1).

Glutathione Must Be Taken With Vitamin C For Effective Skin Lightening

Skin lightening with glutathione ONLY works if it is taken with Vitamin C at least equal or twice its dosage.

This is why Liposomal Vitamin C is so effective – it offers a high dose of vitamin C, which has enhanced absorption and bioavailability. This means that most of the vitamin C you take goes directly into your body, with very little getting lost in the gut and bloodstream.

So if you take 500 mg of glutathione, take at least 500 mg of liposomal vitamin C.

In other words:
For every pill of glutathione you take, take 1 pill of liposomal vitamin C.

Glutathione - More Info

Liposomal Vitamin C - More Info

Glutathione Dosage Depends on Your Body Weight

The standard dosage is 20-40 mg/kg of body weight. So, if you’re:

60 kg – take 240-480 mg of glutathione (1 pill)
120 kg take 2 pills
Etc

Don’t forget – take 1 pill of liposomal vitamin C for each pill of glutathione!

What About Glutathione Injections?

Glutathione injections introduce glutathione directly into the body. However, they’ve been associated with several adverse effects that can harm your health.

We don’t recommend them!

Is Glutathione Skin Lightening Permanent?

It’s whitening effects are permanent as long as you maintain it – such as avoiding direct sunlight. Even if you stop taking glutathione, you won’t go back to your old skin tone.

You can also take glutathione from time to time to maintain your skin tone.

How Long Does Glutathione Take To Lighten The Skin?

It depends on your skin tone:

Light-medium brown skin: 1-3 months
Dark brown skin: 3-6 months
Very dark skin: 6-12 months
Black skin: 18 months and above

What Are The Side Effects Of Glutathione?

Possible side effects are rare, which include:

Bloating
Abdominal cramps
Allergic reactions – like rash
Bronchial constriction, which can cause trouble breathing

Take-Away:

Glutathione has many benefits to the body’s general health. When taken at higher doses and with vitamin C, it lightens the skin color.

Collagen Supplements – 12 Amazing Benefits Of Taking Collagen Peptides

by Simon | Nov 30, 2020 | Women's Health Supplements, Collagen Supplements, Men's Health Supplements, Skin Care Supplements & Cosmetic Guides

Who wouldn’t want to look and feel better – without expensive surgery, injections or cosmetics?

Here’s the name to remember – Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides.

The benefits of collagen peptides are so powerful that you can start seeing incredible benefits after just a few weeks of taking collagen peptides – regardless of your current age (1).

As health and wellness continues to evolve, more and more people are finding themselves seeking remedies for beauty, mental and emotional well-being, weight loss, and so on.

This “get healthy” train is trending, and of you’ve been part of it, you’ve definitely heard of Collagen Peptides.

In this article we’ll break down collagen peptides, and how it can benefit you in your journey to a healthier you.

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies.

It’s the major component of connective tissue that makes up several body parts like tendons, ligaments, skin, muscle and bone (2).

Think of collagen as the “cement” that holds a building together. If cement fails, the building will become weak and fall apart.

Types Of Collagen

There are over 15 types of collagen (3), but there are about 5 of them are thought to be the main ones.

These types of collagen are categorized based on the types of organs they are found in.

Type I: – Found in skin, tendons, bones, dentin, blood vessels, fibrocartilage and organs
Type II: – Found in cartilage
Type III: – Found in skin, ligaments, blood vessels & internal organs
Type IV: – Basement membrane in various tissues. It’s found primarily in connective tissue
Type V: – Found in muscles, hair, cell surfaces, placenta, blood vessel wall, synovium, tendon, lung, bone & cartilage

Introducing Hydrolyzed, Collagen Peptides

The raw material that makes up collagen peptides is collagen proteins. These have been hydrolyzed, or broken down into amino acids.

Hydrolyzed peptides have been shown to be more readily absorbed in the body (4, 5).

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Benefits Of Taking Collagen Peptides

There are several benefits of taking collagen peptides:

1: Collagen Is Good For Smooth, Soft, Youthful, Healthy Skin

Collagen Promotes Smooth, Soft, Youthful, Healthy Skin

Collagen (I & III) are major components of the skin providing strength and structure (6).

Each year, our collagen decreases by about 1%, leading to skin aging (7).

Taking collagen supplements has been shown to boost collagen levels in your skin, reduce wrinkles, and improve skin elasticity and hydration (8, 9, 10, 11).

Collagen peptides also stimulate your body to produce collagen on its own, as well as other proteins that help structure your skin, including elastin and fibrillin, reducing wrinkles (12, 13).

2: Collagen Peptides Can Boost Muscle Mass

Studies show collagen supplements help boost muscle mass after muscle mass loss due to age (14).

In fact, up to 10% of our muscle is made of collagen, making it an integral component in boosting muscle mass.

Collagen supplements have also been shown to help build muscle after resistance training, as well as help in post-exercise recovery (15, 16, 17).

3: Collagen Peptides Relieve Joint Pain & Promote Joint Health

Collagen supplements promote healthy joints

Collage type II is predominately found in cartilage — the protective cushioning between joints (18).

As you get older, your risk for developing osteoarthritis increases – where the cartilage between joints wears away (19).

Taking collagen supplements has been shown to improve osteoarthritis and reduce joint pain overall (20, 21).

Researchers theorize that collagen supplements accumulate in cartilage and stimulate your tissues to make collagen. This lowers inflammation, better support of your joints, and reduced pain (22).

4: Collagen Supplements Keep Bones Strong

Our bones are primarily made of collagen, especially type I (23), which gives them structure and helps keep them strong (24).

As our body makes less and less collagen as we age, so do our bones deteriorate as we age. This may lead to conditions like osteoporosis, low bone density and bone fractures (25, 26).

Taking collagen supplements has been shown to inhibit the breakdown of bones (27, 28, 29, 30).

5: Collagen Promotes Heart Health

Since collagen provides structure to arteries, they may become weaker and fragile as we produce less and less collagen (31).

This can lead to atherosclerosis, a disease that causes arteries to narrow. Arteries carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Collagen has been shown to reduce artery stiffness (32), and increase HDL “good” cholesterol (33). HDL is an important factor in the risk of heart conditions, including atherosclerosis.

6: Collagen Prevents & Reverses Cellulite And Stretch Marks

Collagen cures stretch marks and cellulite

Cellulite is often caused by lack of collagen in the dermal layer of our body, as well as excessive fat.

Taking hydrolyzed collagen supplements has been shown to reverse stretch marks and cellulite (34).

7: Collagen Supplements Improve Hair & Nails

Collagen is the building block of hair and nails.

Taking collagen supplements has been shown to increase the strength of your nails by preventing brittleness. Additionally, it may stimulate your hair and nails to grow longer (35).

Power Hint:
Combine collagen with biotin for best results with hair and nails.

8: Collagen Peptides Can Improve Gut Health

Collagen is an essential component in the connective tissue of the gut. It works to maintain and strengthen the protective lining of the digestive tract.

A weakening in the intestinal walls can lead to digestive health issues like leaky gut syndrome.

Collagen supplements have been shown to heal and seal the gut in people with leaky gut syndrome (36, 37).

9: Collagen Peptides Can Help In Weight Management

Collagen can boost metabolism by increasing lean muscle mass. When combined with exercise, taking collagen helps increase skeletal muscle resulting in an increased metabolism over time.

At the same time, collagen also boosts appetite suppression (38).

One of the benefits of taking collagen peptides is the effect of feeling full – a reason why some people add protein powders and supplements to their diets.

The good thing about hydrolyzed collagen peptides is that it’s a clean, pure protein which can also keep your appetite in check.

10: Collagen May Help Alleviate Anxiety

Anxiety is a crippling condition that affects 18% of the American population (39), and probably hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

Collagen peptides has a high concentration of the amino acid glycerine, which has anti-anxiety properties.

Glycerine works to fight the fight or flight hormone called norepinephrine that is released when we experience anxiety.

This helps reduce anxiety.

11: Collagen Peptides May Help With Better Sleep

A good night’s sleep is important in keeping us healthy, and preventing a variety of ailments like weight gain (40) and heart disease (41).

The amino acid glycerine found in collagen peptides helps improve the quality of sleep (42), and feeling less fatigued throughout the day as a result.

12: Collagen Supplements May Help Support Teeth & Gums

Collagen Supplements Supports Teeth & Gums

Another benefit of collagen is that it helps strengthen our teeth and gums.

While the dental industry is huge, sometimes all it takes is proper nutrition with more collagen.

Collagen can help to bind our teeth together and keep them firmly placed in the gums. Lack of collagen has been linked to linked to a loss of teeth.

In fact, collagen is made up of the fibers that are in the connective tissues that make up teeth and bones.

Collagen Side Effects

There are not many known risks of taking collagen supplements.

Avoid collagens made with common food allergens like eggs, shellfish and fish.

Some people have reported a bad taste in their mouth feeling of fullness and heartburn (43).

Frequent Questions

Why use collagen for supplement rather than from food?

Hydrolyzed collagen, or the collagen that is easiest for your body to absorb, isn’t found in food that you can eat–which means you’ll need a different way to best supplement your collagen production.

Collagen is especially important for your skin while losing weight. If you lose a large amount of weight in a short amount of time, your skin may not have the ability to bounce back, and you’ll end up with a lot of extra skin hanging around.

Collagen helps your skin be more elastic and tighter, which helps people look great while losing weight. If you supplement your diet with collagen, your skin will be more able to bounce back after your awesome weight loss journey!

What affects collagen?

Collagen production declines with age and exposure to factors such as smoking and UV light.

When can i see first results?

That may depend on what you’re looking for – if you’re taking it for joint pain, then you might start to feel a difference in 3-6 weeks.

However, if you’re taking it for skin, hair, and nails, you’ll really start noticing results after about two or three months, although some people have reported skin improvements in just 2-4 weeks.

What role does C-vitamin play in collagen?

Vitamin C has the potential to increase collagen synthesis, and reduce oxidative stress parameters. As you age, your collagen levels begin to decrease. Eating foods rich in vitamin C and protein can increase the levels and collagen in the body as both are important for skin.

Is it okay to use collagen during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Yes, you can. Hydrolyzed collagen is a pure protein and is also suitable for consumption during pregnancy and lactation. This supplement is also suitable for the elderly and children.

If collagen is naturally occurring, why do we need to supplement with it?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies. Collagen is found in hair, skin, nails, ligaments, cartilage, tendons, bones and within blood vessel walls—all known as “connective tissue” in the body.

Beginning in our 20s, however, our bodies start producing less collagen, making it important to add it as a supplement.

I’ve heard that you should only mix collagen powder with cooler liquids (i.e. not hot coffee).

This is false. Hot water is one of the best known—and healthiest—ways to extract collagen peptides from their source. For example, when fish scales are heated in distilled water at 70 degrees, the collagen yield is only 6%… but when fish scales are heated to 100 degrees, the yield is 30%. So, keep on mixing your collagen in your hot liquid of choice!

Bottom Line

Collagen is the key component in our bodies, and is responsible for so many important functions of the body such as a healthy skin, bones, teeth, muscle, heart and cardiovascular health, digestive health and many others.

Taking collagen supplements is associated with a number of health benefits and very few known risks.

Collagen supplements are generally quite safe and easy to take, and definitely worth trying for their potential benefits.

Key takeaway:
Aging inevitably reduces our collagen production, estimated at 1% every year.
As the most abundant protein in our body, taking collagen supplements offers huge health benefits that improve the quality of our lives.
These supplements are available in Kenya for pickup in Nairobi, or delivery countrywide.

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Estrogen Dominance – 28 Bad Signs And Symptoms Every Woman Should Know

by Betty | Nov 26, 2020 | Acne Supplements, PMS Supplements, Skin Care Supplements & Cosmetic Guides, Women's Fertility Supplements, Women's Health Supplements

Do You Show Any Of The Following Signs? Do You Know If You Have Estrogen Dominance? Here’s What To Look For.

Millions of women suffer from estrogen dominance. In case you’re wondering if it affects you, YOU DO SUFFER FROM ESTROGEN DOMINANCE!

Because in fact, every woman suffers from estrogen dominance to some extent!

In this article, we’ll dig deep into estrogen dominance that affects EVERY WOMAN on earth.

You’ll find out why you cannot lose that belly fat, or you just can’t seem to get a smooth face, or your hair keeps thinning no matter what products you try.

I see millions of women chasing fad diets and “detox miracles” to lose weight.

Others chasing magic hair and cosmetic products.

Millions of others chasing acne treatments…

The plain truth is that these just WILL NOT WORK unless you balance your hormones first!

Maybe you’ve really worked hard with your fitness guru and even lost some weight, but you just can’t seem to melt off that belly fat!

Your biggest enemy is likely to be ESTROGEN DOMINANCE.

What Is Estrogen Dominance?

Estrogen dominance occurs when the level of the hormone estrogen outweighs the level of the hormone progesterone. It usually happens when production of progesterone decreases without subsequent decrease in estrogen.

Estrogen has currently about 300 known functions in the body. It’s a necessary hormone, but too much of it can wreak havoc in your body, especially when it’s not properly balanced in relation to progesterone.

Even women with low estrogen could be suffering from estrogen dominance if it’s not properly balanced with progesterone.

Some symptoms will shock you – and you probably have more than one!

What Causes Estrogen Dominance?

The world we live in today has so much estrogen-mimicking products that it’s hard to avoid their effects. It’s safe to say that almost everyone (men and women) has some effects of estrogen dominance.

There are several causes of Estrogen dominance:

1: Environmental Estrogen Mimicking “Xenoestrogens”

Thousands of man-made products contain industrial chemicals that mimic the behavior of estrogens (xenoestrogens) and disrupt your hormone balance.

You would literally have to live in a bubble to escape the excess estrogens we’re exposed to in our daily, modern environment.

Here are a few environmental exposures to xenoestrogens:

Cosmetics – yes, you read that right! Some cosmetics contain parabens commonly used as preservatives. Others contain 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) and Benzophenone like some sun screens. These will harm you!!
Plastics – Bisphenol A (BPA), Phthalates, DEHP, Polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs) & polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are found in almost all plastics. BPA is associated with gynecological cancers such as breast, uterine and endometrial cancers (1).
Pesticides – you’ll take these in your food like fruits and vegetables, and they cause a lot of harm. Pesticides disrupt our endocrine systems (2). They’ve been shown to affect both male and female fertility, menstrual cycles, ovulation & menstruation (3).
Soaps & detergents – most commonly used are phthalates, a potent estrogen disruptor (4).
Car exhaust fumes – lots of research show these cause estrogen and endocrine disruption (5).
Meats – the meat we eat every day passes estrogen from the animal the meat came from. One study found far more estrogen in meat eaters than vegetarians (6).
Birth control pills – birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy add more estrogen without the balance of progesterone. This causes estrogen dominance.

2: Stress

Chronic stress is one of the main reasons women become estrogen dominant.

When you’re stressed or overly busy, your cortisol levels go sky high. Cortisol gears up your body for high energy, and curbs functions that are non-essential to fight or flight.

When your cortisol climbs, the body has to use up progesterone to keep up. This means there’s less progesterone available to balance estrogen, leading to estrogen dominance.

3: Being overweight

Excess body fat is one of the main causes of estrogen dominance.

Fat tissue absorbs and stores estrogen in your bloodstream, and it also synthesizes estrogen from your other hormones.

As expected, the more fat cells you have, the more estrogen you will make. The more estrogen you make, the more fat you store, and the cycle continues.

4: Signs And Symptoms Of Estrogen Dominance

Potential signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance include:

1: Fibrocystic Breasts

Lumpy breasts can be bothersome and uncomfortable. It can also be alarming for some women who can mistake it for breast cancer.
Ref. Healthline

One common symptom of estrogen dominance is fibrocystic breasts. These are non-cancerous lumps in the breasts, caused by fluid-filled cysts in the breasts.

They are usually movable, and can change in size through the month.

Breast tissue responds to fluctuating levels of hormones, especially estrogen.

More than half the women develop polycystic breasts in their lives. If you have polycystic breasts, you’ll experience:

Lumps in one or both breasts
Swelling
Tenderness
Pain
Thickening of breast tissue

Your symptoms will usually get worse just before of during your period. The condition becomes less of a problem after menopause.

Balancing your hormones should help resolve this.

2: Swelling And Tenderness In Your Breasts

Swollen, tender breasts (cyclical mastalgia) can get uncomfortable and/or painful.

Your breast tissue responds to hormone levels, especially estrogen. The milk ducts and glands swell, sometimes becoming painful. This is called cyclical mastalgia.

2: Menstrual Problems

Menstrual problems due to estrogen dominance

Estrogen dominance also causes menstrual problems such as

Irregular periods
Heavy bleeding
Light spotting

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4: Allergies & Asthma

Athsma & Allergies Due To Estrogen Dominance

Women with high estrogen levels are more susceptible to asthma, pollen and food allergies. The body gets an immune response as if it is responding to an allergen, causing allergic response and worsening of asthma (7a).

5: Bloating & Water Retention

Bloating is caused by imbalanced reproductive hormones. Hormonal balancing can help

Most women experience weight gain and bloating just before and during their periods due to water retention. This is caused by estrogen and progesterone imbalance (8).

These two hormones have important effects on sodium retention and body fluid regulation, weight gain, and a potential risk to the heart (9).

6: Slow Metabolism & Weight Gain

Slow metabolism, fat accumulation & water retention lead to weight gain. Balance your hormones and see the difference.

If you have estrogen dominance, you could be struggling to lose weight. This is one of the main reasons women find it hard to lose weight than men.

High levels of estrogen in the body are associated with high glucose levels, which in turn lead to weight gain (10).

7: Fat Accumulation

Apple shape can lead to diabetes and heart disease. Estrogen dominance with PCOS tends to lead to apple shape, and pear shape if there’s no PCOS.

You’ve probably tried to lose weight, but the fat just won’t go away. Those love handles just seem to persist. Or maybe you’ve really worked out and lost some weight, but you just can’t seem to lose belly fat.

If estrogen dominance has caused PCOS (see below), your weight gain will be more on the mid to upper body. This type of weight gain is more dangerous and can lead to diabetes or heart disease.

8: Skin Tags

Skin tags indicate insulin resistance and/or weight gain, which can lead to diabetes. Balancing your hormones can solve both insulin resistance and weight gain.

A healthy body produces desired amount of insulin that maintains healthy levels of blood sugar. However, high levels of estrogen in the body stresses the cells that produce insulin.

This can lead to insulin resistance, and high glucose levels (and weight gain).

Skin tags are associated with insulin resistance and obesity (11, 12).

It’s important to note there’s a thin line on whether skin tags are caused by estrogen imbalance, insulin resistance or weight gain. One can cause the other and vise-versa.

9: Darkening Of Skin On The Neck & Armpits

Doctors use skin darkening on neck and armpits to further evaluate patients for possible pre-diabetes or diabetes. This usually results from insulin resistance, sometimes caused by estrogen dominance. Balancing your hormones can solve this.

One of the commonest causes of skin darkening is insulin resistance and PCOS. There are other possible causes like underactive thyroids, problems with the adrenal glands, cancer or certain drugs like birth control pills, corticosteroids, and niacin.

This condition is called Acanthosis Nigricans.

Doctors frequently use acanthosis nigricans as a basis for further screening for pre-diabetes and diabetes.

10: Skin Pigmentation

Skin pigmentation due to estrogen imbalance

Melasma is usually caused by elevated levels of estrogen and to a lesser extent, progesterone. Balancing your hormones can avoid this.

The female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, can also cause skin pigmentation, or Melasma (13). They stimulate the overproduction of melanin which leads to dark spots.

Research has found that elevated levels of estrogen, and to a lesser degree elevated progesterone levels, are associated with increased skin pigmentation, which can lead to melasma.

Melasma can also be caused by other factors like stress, thyroid disorders, and exposure to sunlight and heat.

Hormonal balancing can help you treat melasma.

11: Rapid Aging

Estrogen dominance makes the effects of estrogen destructive, leading to rapid aging. Balancing estrogen with progesterone is the key to preventing aging of the skin.

Estrogen plays an important role in keeping your skin soft, smooth and attractive. In fact, women are more attractive before and during ovulation, when they have higher than normal estrogen levels.

However, estrogen dominance in relation to progesterone makes the effects of estrogen destructive to the skin, causing rapid aging (14).

The key to keeping a smooth, healthy skin is estrogen balance with progesterone.

12: Estrogen Dominance Causes Acne

Cystic Acne caused by estrogen dominance.

Hormonal acne and oily skin are mainly associated with an imbalance of estrogen to androgen ratio (15) – such as high levels of testosterone.

It can also be caused by high levels of progesterone (16).

Research shows it’s easier and better to treat acne without antibiotics and creams (17, 18). Of course, this is not good news for commercial dermatologists.

13: Abnormal Hair Growth

Abnormal hair (hirsutism) is normally caused by male hormones (androgens), usually resulting from polycystic ovaries due to estrogen dominance.

A hairy chin or brow, or hair in abnormal places can indicate an imbalance between estrogen and androgens (such as high levels of testosterone).

This condition is called hirsutism, where hair grows in a male-like pattern – like face, chest, stomach, toes and back.

It’s common in women with PCOS. Hirsutism can also be caused by other factors like Cushing’s syndrome, some medications and drugs.

14: PCOS – Polycystic Ovaries

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, hormonal imbalance & infertility

Pic from Mayo Clinic
Estrogen dominance is commonly linked with PCOS. Because of an excess amount of androgens (male hormones), women with PCOS often experience a hormone imbalance that prevents ovulation, hence fertility problems.

PCOS may also cause other symptoms included here – such as weight gain, hair loss, PMS and male-like hair growth.

15: Irregular Menstrual Periods

Irregular or missed periods can be caused by many reasons, including PCOS, which is thought to be caused by estrogen dominance.

16: Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) And Estrogen Dominance

Most symptoms of PMS disappear with hormonal balancing.

About 90% of women report having PMS (7). Environmental exposure to chemical disruptors of estrogen seems to have a huge effect on the prevalence of PMS.

High levels of estrogen cause increased symptoms of PMS. Hormonal balancing is recommended to control PMS.

17: Uterine Fibroids

Hormonal balancing can control uterine fibroids

The causes of uterine fibroids remain contested, and there’s no one definite causative reason. However, scientific evidence shows that high levels of estrogen cause fibroids, while progesterone seems to inhibit the growth of the same fibroids (19).

Maintaining the balance of estrogen and progesterone controls the proliferation and severity of uterine fibroids (20).

18: Endometriosis

Endometriosis, infertility and hormonal imbalance

Endometriosis is highly estrogen-dependent (21). It has been linked to high levels of estrogen by the Mayo Clinic.

19: Low Sex Drive & Vaginal Dryness

Hormonal imbalance can cause low sex drive and vaginal dryness

Women with high estrogen levels experience high sex drive, but not when the estrogen is not counter-checked by healthy levels of progesterone and androgens.

Such imbalance and estrogen dominance often cause vaginal dryness, vaginal atrophy (a loss of muscle tension), and decreased clitoral sensitivity.

The other consequences of estrogen dominance, such as weight gain, mood swings and fatigue (see below), add to the problem.

Proper estrogen balance and a female androgen called DHEA has been shown to increase sex drive, prevent vaginal dryness, help in weight loss, as well as some anti-aging properties.

20: Trouble Sleeping (Insomnia)

Balancing your hormones will give you a good night’s sleep.

Both estrogen and progesterone affect sleep.

If you are one of the millions of women who suffer from insomnia, then you could be suffering from imbalanced estrogen levels.

Often, this is due to a drop-off in a woman’s progesterone production, which is affected both by age and stress levels. In turn this causes estrogen dominance.

At the same time, estrogen has been shown to improve the quality of sleep, reduce time to fall asleep, and increases the amount of rapid eye movement (REM sleep). Sleep lab studies also indicate estrogen reduces the number of times a patient awakens and may improve cognitive function.

As the National Sleep Foundation notes:

“During the course of perimenopause through menopause, a woman’s ovaries gradually decrease production of estrogen and progesterone, a sleep-promoting hormone. The shifting of ratios of hormones can be an unsettling process, sometimes contributing to the inability to fall asleep.”

Improper levels of estrogen or progesterone will affect your sleep. Balancing your hormones will give you a good night’s sleep.

21: Hair Loss & Thinning

Estrogen balance is important in many aspects of female beauty including skin and hair (22).

You could be wasting money on countless creams and hair products trying to rejuvenate your hair. But this might never work without balancing your hormones first.

When the levels of estrogen and progesterone drop, hair grows more slowly and becomes much thinner. A decrease in these hormones also triggers an increase in the production of androgens, or a group of male hormones. Androgens shrink hair follicles, resulting in hair loss on the head.

Estrogen balance is important in many aspects of female beauty including skin and hair (22).

22: Anxiety, Mood Swings & Panic Attacks

Estrogen dominance makes you feel on the edge. It can make you more anxious and irritable, and increase mood swings.

It can also make you feel exaggerated emotions such as jealousy, overwhelm and sadness.

23: Cold Hands & Feet

This could also be a symptom of thyroid dysfunction.

The reasons for cold hands and feet aren’t very well explained, but many people with dominant estrogen levels also have poor circulation and as a result get cold hands and feet.

We do know that estrogen has something to do with circulation, but more research needs to be done in this area as well.

24: Thyroid Dysfunction

Hypothyroidism Caused By Estrogen Dominance

Balancing your hormones can make your thyroid more efficient, along with hypothyroidism symptoms (below).

Estrogen dominance can cause thyroid dysfunction and hypothyroidism (23). Symptoms of hypothyroidism include symptoms caused by estrogen dominance itself, such as:

Depression
Weight gain
Tiredness
Slow movements and thoughts
Being sensitive to cold
Muscle cramps
Dry, scaly skin
Low sex drive
Pain, numbness and a tingling sensation in the hand and fingers
Irregular or heavy periods

25: Foggy Thinking & Memory Loss

Balancing your hormones can help you think clearer!

Memory loss and brain fog are common in menopause, but they can start at a relatively young age.

If you’re going through forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating and thinking clearly, you may be having estrogen dominance.

Balancing your hormones can help!

26: Headaches

Getting those persistent headaches? Balancing your hormones can help you treat them.

Getting those frequent headaches? You probably have estrogen imbalance.

A headache can be triggered any time there is a fluctuation in estrogen levels. This is especially common around the time of your menstrual cycle when there is a dip in estrogen levels.

Women may also experience more headaches around the start of menopause and when they undergo hysterectomy.

27: Sleepiness or Fatigue

Chronic fatigue and sleepiness due to hormonal imbalance

If you’re spending your day feeling chronically tired or sleepy, you probably have estrogen dominance.

This symptom can occur whether or not you have insomnia. If you experience persistent tiredness or feel more drained of energy than usual, balancing your hormones will probably help!

28: Cellulite

If your blood sugar is imbalanced and your Estrogen & Progesterone are not in balance, then you’re likely to develop cellulite.

As you move towards menopause, estrogen levels drop, which can further exacerbate the situation.

Further, drop in estrogen levels can reduce blood towards connective tissue, causing it to become more rigid and tightening over those fat pockets. You can read more about cellulite here.

Natural Treatment For Estrogen Dominance

By understanding the signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance, you can probably reduce it naturally, even though this can be quite hard.

There are two effective treatments of estrogen dominance – DIM and Chasteberry castus.

Introducing DIM Supplement (3,3 Diindolylmethane)

DIM is a plant compound derived from cruciferous vegetables (e.g. cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.). It has picked up steam as a go-to treatment for maintaining estrogen and testosterone balance, and as an anti-cancer agent (24, 25). It’s known to treat a variety of issues such as

Acne
PMS & PCOS
Fibroids
Menopause symptoms
Weight loss & maintaining a lean body mass
Prostate health, as well as a horde of other benefits.

To get the maximum benefit of DIM, you’d need to eat a kilo of these vegetables every day (26).

Learn About DIM

Introducing Chasteberry Castus

What is Chasteberry Castus?

Chasteberry Castus is derived from the chaste berry tree. It’s become popular in treating PMS (27), infertility due to short luteal phase due to low progesterone (28) and headaches (29), acne, menopause, and other conditions affecting a woman’s reproductive system.

Learn About Chasteberry Castus

Bottom Line

Estrogen dominance affects every woman in varying extents, sometimes in cyclical monthly cycle.

It causes a variety of bad symptoms such as acne, PMS, infertility, menstrual problems, weight gain, rapid aging, and so on.

Luckily, you can control estrogen dominance and its effects by balancing your hormones.

DIM and Chasteberry Castus are the most effective products available in Kenya for balancing your hormones.

Both are available for local pickup in Nairobi, or they can be delivered to you countrywide.

7 Diindolylmethane (DIM) Benefits – Achieve Hormonal Balance And Bustling Health

by Simon | Nov 19, 2020 | Men's Health Supplements, Acne Supplements, Skin Care Supplements & Cosmetic Guides, Weight Management Supplements And Guides, Women's Health Supplements

Diindolylmethane (DIM) benefits both women and men. It’s a plant compound that has picked up steam as a go-to treatment for maintaining estrogen and testosterone balance, and as an anti-cancer agent (1, 2).

It’s known to treat a variety of issues such as acne, PMS, mood swings, fibroids, menopause symptoms, as well as a horde of other benefits.

It’s generated when the body breaks down indole-3-carbinol (I3C) (3), which is found in cruciferous vegetables. Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. However, to get the maximum benefit of DIM, you’d need to eat a kilo of these vegetables every day (4).

For this reason, taking DIM as a natural health supplement may be the best way to go.

Secondly, these cruciferous vegetables also contain goitrogens – compounds that mess with your thyroid. The thyroid gland controls several hormones in the body, including estrogen. You can still take broccoli and cabbage but you don’t want piles of it.

When you take a DIM supplement, you avoid those extra compounds with potential harmful effects.

Hormones Explained
1) DIM Maintains Estrogen Balance
2) DIM Is A Hormonal Treatment For Acne
3) Testosterone Supplementation using DIM
4) DIM For Cancer Prevention
5) May Protect Against Prostrate Issues
6) DIM Promotes Weight Loss
7) Other Health Benefits Of DIM

Sex Hormones Explained

Hormones are chemical messengers that tell our bodies to perform various functions.

Estrogen and testosterone are called sex hormones because they control functions of the reproductive system. Both hormones occur in both men and women and control various body functions. This makes their balance critical to health.

As we age, hormone production and balance changes, leading to multiple symptoms like weight gain, muscle loss, brittle bones, etc, as well as that feeling of “getting older”. Diindolylmethane helps in maintaining this hormonal balance for sex hormones.

Estrogen has about 300 known functions currently. For example, it impacts the liver, heart and brain (5).

The following are the benefits of taking Diindolylmethane (DIM):

1) Diindolylmethane Maintains Estrogen Balance

In order to be used in the body, estrogen is metabolized into 2- hydroxy and 2-methoxy, (6) the “good estrogen”, or 16-hydroxy and 16-methoxy, the “bad estrogen”.

The “good estrogen” is involved in beneficial functions throughout the body, such as protecting the heart and brain. Conversely, the “bad estrogen” is involved in the undesirable effects such as weight gain, as well as breast and uterine cancers (7, 8).

DIM helps increase production of “good estrogen” (9) and reduce the effects of bad estrogen (10, 11).

Healthy levels of the good estrogen are associated with:

Lower body fat and more muscle
Higher quality collagen in the skin and joints
Healthy bone density
Proper cholesterol levels (in animal models)

Key Takeaway:
DIM helps increase production of “good estrogen” and reduce effects of “bad estrogen”. This results to a bunch of associated health benefits and prevents several undesirable conditions like weight gain and cancer, among other benefits.

2) DIM Is A Hormonal Treatment For Acne

Hormonal acne has a few tell-tale signs:

It appears at the same time during your menstrual cycle
It’s usually deep and painful and doesn’t easily pop
Usually around the jaw-line, cheeks and chin

Hormonal acne usually occurs when the level of estrogen falls too low in relation to progesterone. This un-checked progesterone promotes too much sebum production, which leads to acne. By controlling estrogen and testosterone balance, DIM can help keep acne in check.

Key takeaway:
DIM helps maintain healthy levels of the good estrogen, as well as testosterone, and prevents the bad estrogen pathways. This healthy balance keeps acne in check.

GOT QUESTIONS?

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DIM Is Now Available At Reed Naturals

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3) Testosterone Supplementation & Body Building Using DIM

By our mid-forties, the levels of our testosterone in both men and women decrease to a level that some body processes may not work properly.

Diindolylmethane inhibits aromatase, which converts testosterone to estrogen (12).

By DIM reducing excess estrogens in men (possibly caused by genetics, diet, or xenoestrogen exposure), there may also be a reduction in estrogen-excess symptoms like fatigue, erectile dysfunction, obesity, and estrogen-related cancers (13, 14).

Testosterone is associated with better muscle tone and growth, which makes testosterone supplementation attractive to body builders.

Since Diindolylmethane inhibits aromatase, it maintains higher levels of testosterone. This promotes enhanced muscle growth and adaptation with exercise.

It supports more efficient fat metabolism and helps testosterone to be liberated from its carrier proteins. The “good estrogen” increases one’s development of stronger and more metabolically active muscles.

Key takeaway:
DIM helps maintain healthy levels of free testosterone which is more available in the body, as well as “good estrogen”. This promotes metabolically active and stronger muscles, protect muscles from exercise-induced damage, resulting in less inflammation, less pain, and more rapid progress in gaining muscle.

It also reduces estrogen-excess symptoms like fatigue, erectile dysfunction, obesity, and estrogen-related cancers.

4)Diindolylmethane (DIM) Benefits For Cancer Prevention

As we have seen, DIM promotes healthy metabolism of estrogen. This prevents cancer (13, 14, 15), particularly those related to sex hormones (e.g. breast, prostate, uterus, and ovary), in several ways.

First, stimulating “good estrogen” production causes a simultaneous reduction of the “bad estrogen”, which prevents them from damaging cells and potentially causing cancer.

Second, the “good estrogen” reduces cell division of abnormal cells and hastens cell death of precancerous cells (16, 17).

Lastly, “good estrogen” acts as an antioxidant, protecting the body from the damage of free radicals, which also helps prevent cancer.

Key takeaway:
DIM promotes metabolism of healthy estrogen. This prevents damage from bad estrogen thus preventing cancer. It reduces cell division of abnormal cells and eliminates pre-cancerous cells. It also protects cells from damage from free radicals, which prevents cancer.

5) DIM Leads To Easier Weight Management

One of Diindolylmethane (DIM) benefits is weight loss. DIM’s use has been associated with shedding weight in both men and women.

The balance of “good estrogen” and free testosterone helps release stored fat, and it also assists fat-burning hormones.

Imbalance of estrogen – either too little or too much – is associated with weight gain in both men and women (16, 17, 18).

Furthermore, DIM supplements may stimulate fat breakdown and inhibit fat cell formation (19).

Key takeaway:
As DIM regulates balance of good estrogen and testosterone, it assists fat-burning hormones. DIM supplements may also inhibit fat cell formation.

6) May Protect Against Prostrate Issues

Ref. WebMD

Rising estrogen becomes a problem in middle-aged men. Testosterone is increasingly converted into estrogen, particularly in overweight men.

DIM can help improve prostate health, and help guard against prostate enlargement, a condition known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).

Research has shown that un-metabolized estrogen accumulates in prostate tissue in men as they get older. Exposure of human prostate tissue to un-metabolized estrogen in the laboratory did indeed result in activation and increased production of prostate-specific antigen protein (PSA). Elevated PSA is associated with prostate cancer.

DIM has also been shown to prevent prostate cancer (16).

DIM directly slows the production of PSA by prostate cells, independent of its effects on estrogen metabolism.

Key takeaway:
Accumulation of un-metabolized estrogen in the prostate is known to cause prostate enlargement. DIM slows the production of PSA and prevents prostate enlargement and cancer.

7) Other Diindolylmethane (DIM) Benefits

Diindolylmethane (DIM) benefits also include:

Regulation of energy metabolism by promoting the active release of stored fat for better energy, especially during exercise.
Cell growth regulation, which helps get rid of damaged cells throughout the body.
PMS support. Healthy levels of estrogen and testosterone balance in women may help to reduce the symptoms of PMS (Pre-menstrual syndrome).
Slows age-related diseases. The “good estrogens” have an important antioxidant activity – which slows some age-related disease, such as heart disease and arthritis.
Support perimenopause. Slower hormone metabolism in mid-life can mean higher than normal levels of estrogen and a deficiency of “good estrogen”. Women in perimenopause usually experience slower estrogen metabolism. This can be aided by DIM’s actions of hormone balance and metabolism.
Reduced risk of a heart attack. Men with the highest estrogen level have the highest risk of early heart attack. DIM may help normalize the cardiac risk in both men and women related to unhealthy or underactive estrogen metabolism.

Potential Side-Effects Of DIM

Current research shows that DIM is well tolerated. Some side-effects include:

Darkening of the urine, an increase in bowel movements, headaches, and gas (20, 21).
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin rash (20).

Since DIM supplements interact with estrogen levels, they may affect people with hormone-sensitive cancers or who are on hormone therapies. Such individuals should steer clear of DIM supplements unless under the supervision of a medical professional.

The rest of the side effects of DIM are short-lived and resemble the effects of general detox symptoms — because that’s precisely what’s happening. DIM pulls excess estrogens out of your cells and sends them out into the bloodstream for elimination. While it’s all circulating, you’ll feel like crud.

You can overcome these side effects by:

Taking a lot of clean water.
Support your liver – since your liver is working overtime, breaking down estrogen, you can support your liver with glutathione, calcium d-glucarate, vitamin C, and liver support herbs like dandelion, burdock, yellow dock, and milk thistle.

If you get detox symptoms for a few days, it’s a sign that you had a lot of estrogen to deal with and you probably really needed to get it out.

Key takeaway:
DIM supplements have not been shown to cause serious side effects. People on hormone therapies or with certain hormone-related cancers should avoid these supplements.

Frequent Questions

Does DIM actually change my estrogen levels?

No, DIM capsules do not increase or decrease your estrogen blood levels. They will only change your body’s ratio of good to bad estrogens.

How long can I take DIM capsules? Do you have to wean yourself off of them?

You can take DIM capsules as long as needed, but most people use the supplement for about six months to a year. You can stop taking DIM at any time.

Can I take DIM capsules while on birth control?

Yes. Women can take DIM capsules while on birth control. Taking DIM can help with both adult acne and the side effects of synthetic hormones.

My DIM capsules have a strange smell. Is that normal?

Yes, and that scent is a good sign! Natural, high-grade DIM made from cruciferous veggies has a strong smell. In fact, if your current DIM capsules don’t have a scent, it likely means your supplement contains fewer active ingredients and will be less effective.

Why not just eat more cruciferous vegetables?

Cruciferous vegetables are protective for hormone-sensitive cancers. However, direct measurements of upward, beneficial shifts in estrogen metabolism indicate you would have to eat at least two pounds per day of raw or lightly cooked cruciferous vegetables to derive the same benefit as two capsules of specially formulated DIM.

What’s exciting about the effect of DIM on premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?

PMS symptom improvement has been noted after beginning dietary supplementation with absorbable DIM. These results suggest DIM is able to correct the estrogen imbalance in PMS.

What’s the best supplementation approach to PMS?

A strong nutritional approach to PMS includes bio-available DIM, chaste berry extract, Vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium. Synergistic interaction of these ingredients benefits PMS

What does DIM do? IN regards to acne treatment.

DIM can have a balancing effect on hormonal receptors. It can also help balance androgen and estrogen receptors and is believed to restore estrogen balance. DIM help balance hormones by blocking the effects of excess testosterone, the hormone that is responsible for the production of more sebum(oil) in the skin, and more acne.

How does DIM help with hormonal acne?

The root cause of hormonal acne is an imbalance of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, which affects the skin’s oil-producing glands. With that in mind, most Dermatologists agree that the best way to clear hormonal and cystic acne is to combine effective topical treatment with hormonal modulation. Hormonal modulation can occur via prescriptions (such as birth control pills) or natural supplementation. Estrogen imbalance, in particular, is a common cause of acne. Because DIM works to balance estrogen receptors, it can help clear up adult hormonal acne in women.

I have hormonal acne, and I’m taking the DIM. When will I see results?

Some women will notice results in as little as four weeks. But be patient. For some, it may take 3-4 months to see optimal results.

Can I take DIM if I have diabetes?

Yes.

Some studies have shown that DIM actually improves diabetes (21, 22).

Are there any adverse effects of taking DIM?

Some people get a slight headache when they first start taking the capsule. If this occurs, increase your daily water intake and give your body some time to adjust. Once your body has adjusted, the headache should go away.

Summary

DIM is a compound your body creates when you eat cruciferous vegetables. It’s also concentrated and sold as a supplement.

Diindolylmethane (DIM) benefits mainly stem from its ability to balance estrogen and testosterone levels. It helps treat a variety of conditions like hormone-sensitive cancers, prostate issues, PMS, acne, etc.

Women’s Health: Hormonal Balance, Acne and Skin Health

by Simon | Oct 15, 2020 | Women's Health Supplements, Acne Supplements, Skin Care Supplements & Cosmetic Guides

Hormones don’t just control the way you feel. They also control the way you look – more specifically how your skin looks.

Sometimes it feels like your skin just isn’t part of your team – it breaks out with acne, your puffy eyes give away the little sleep you’ve had in the last 3 nights, and so on.

If you see acne on your skin, it’s telling you something is probably off inside, and it’s usually related to hormones.

Research shows it’s easier and better to treat acne without antibiotics and creams (1, 2). Before you rush to get some skin cream or cosmetic, maybe you’ll get better results if you balance your hormones first!

We’ll look at certain conditions that affect your skin health, and hopefully help provide answers that may help you maintain a smooth healthy skin.

Remember that skin types vary with people, and even your skin also changes as you age.

Skin Changes During Menstrual Cycle

The skin contains sebaceous glands, which secretes an oily substance called sebum. Sebaceous glands increase in size around puberty, with the most sebum secreted around age 35.

Sebaceous glands are influenced by hormones called androgens (such as testosterone – “male hormone”) to produce more sebum, which may progress to acne. This is because sebum-filled pores are the ideal place for bacteria to live—particularly P. acnes, which loves to colonize these pores, and further worsen and causes inflammatory acne.

On the other hand, estrogen (“female hormone”) suppresses sebum production. Estrogen is associated with increased production of collagen, which results to more skin thickness, skin hydration, wound healing, and improved barrier function.

Sometime before the menstrual period starts (around 10 days), there isn’t enough estrogen, to counter over-production of sebum. Other theories suggest there’s an imbalance of estrogen to progesterone ratio. This leaves a higher level of androgens, which lead to more sebum production, leading to acne.

You may notice differences in acne outbreaks, elasticity and wound healing ability at different times in your cycle. You may also notice dry skin when estrogen levels are low.

Key Takeaway:
In women who suffer from hormonal acne, the level of estrogen falls too low in relation to progesterone. This un-checked progesterone promotes too much sebum production, which leads to acne.

Skin Changes As You Age

Estrogen levels start to decrease even before menopause. As we’ve seen, estrogen helps to stimulate the right amount of oil production to keep it supple, smooth, and plump.

But as estrogen decreases with age, your skin gets drier and itchier.

Your doctor may advise you to get on hormone therapy, by taking hormones, usually estrogen and progesterone.

You may also consider supplementing with V. agnus-castus and DIM to regulate your hormonal balance.

Introducing DIM Supplement

What Is DIM?

It’s known to treat a variety of issues such as acne, PMS, PCOS, fibroids, menopause symptoms, weight loss, lean body mass, and prostate health, as well as a horde of other benefits.

To get the maximum benefit of DIM, you’d need to eat a kilo of these vegetables every day (26).

For this reason you need to take the supplement to get the optimum amount of DIM.

Learn About DIM

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) & Acne

Women with PCOS produce a lot of androgens (such as testosterone) , as well as the hormone that breaks down glucose. This results to irregular or prolonged periods, acne and excess hair on your lip and chin (beards).

If you’re overweight, reducing weight may be your first option to consider. Exercise has also been shown to improve PCOS symptoms.

Consider a keto diet as well as keto supplements and supplements to control hormonal changes such as DIM and V. agnus-castus.

Introducing KETO XP Supplement

KETO XP Supplement:

Is formulated with BHB to get your body into ketosis fast and use fat as primary source of energy
Stops excess fat production
Suppresses your appetite
Increases energy levels, improves sleep and prevents fatigue
The result is lower weight, lower percentage of body fat and a higher percentage of non-fat mass.

Shop Keto XP

Perimenopause And Menopause

During perimenopause and menopause, estrogen levels decrease. This causes dryness in the skin. The skin may also feel itchy and uncomfortable during this time.

Along with reduced hydration, low collagen levels are involved with the breakdown of collagen and elastin, the two proteins that give skin its structure.

This dryness and loss of collagen lead to a saggy, wrinkled skin.

Consider supplementing with DIM and Collagen to manage these conditions.

Introducing Super Collagen Supplement

What Is Super Collagen Supplement?

Super Collagen:

Promotes A Smooth, Soft, Youthful, Healthy Skin
Boosts Muscle Mass
Relieves Joint Pain & Promotes Joint Health
Keeps Bones Strong
Promotes Heart Health
Prevents & Reverses Cellulite And Stretch Marks
Improve Hair & Nails
Can Improve Gut Health
Can Help In Weight Loss
May Help Alleviate Anxiety
May Help With Better Sleep
Helps Support Teeth & Gums

Learn About Collagen

GOT QUESTIONS?

Get A Free Expert Consultation

Navigating supplements without professional help can be expensive and dangerous. We are here to help.

There’s no obligation.

Book Your FREE Consultation

Diet And Lifestyle Solutions To Hormonal Skin Problems

Here are a few lifestyle choices that can help you reduce skin conditions:

Get plenty of sleep
Maintain a balanced diet
Exercise regularly
Avoid smoking
Reduce alcohol consumption
Avoid stress – stress can affect cortisol levels, which can lead to flares of acne
Increase intake of magnesium – when cortisol levels rise, the body uses up a lot of magnesium.

Summary:

In general, if there’s a hormonal link to your skin problems, getting your hormones back in balance is the way to go.

Even though you may also apply some skin creams, fixing hormonal balance may be a more long-term solution