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.

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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 Imbalance And Infertility

by Simon | Oct 16, 2020 | Women's Health Supplements, Women's Fertility Supplements

Infertility refers to the condition where a woman cannot get pregnant. Hormonal imbalance most often causes infertility. It’s a distressing situation for both men and women.

Some cases are treatable while others are not. In this article, we’ll look at various causes of infertility in women and how to manage or treat them.

Since we’ll refer to various parts of the female reproductive system, this picture will help you get a basic understanding:

Hormones That Are Involved In Pregnancy

Without going too deep into the science of hormones and pregnancy, you should have a basic understanding of the hormones involved in pregnancy in order to address the problem.

The following hormones control pregnancy:

Thyroid hormones – the thyroid gland produces a lot of hormones, but triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) hormones are involved in production of prolactin.
Prolactin – milk production is controlled by prolactin. This hormone also plays an essential role in becoming pregnant in the first place. If you have low levels of prolactin, you’re likely to have irregular cycles and issues with ovulation, which can interfere with getting pregnant.
Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) – This hormone supports the immature eggs. Ovarian follicles, or the sack that contains the immature egg, produce AMH.
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) – FSH helps regulate the menstrual cycle and induce the production of eggs in the ovaries.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) – LH signals the body to release a mature egg.
Progesterone – This hormone is essential to maintaining a pregnancy by thickening the uterine lining, which in turn helps support an embryo. Women with low progesterone levels often experience recurrent miscarriages.
Estrogen – Low estrogen levels can prevent ovulation and make getting pregnant difficult, leading to infertility.

Signs & Causes Of Hormonal Imbalance

The most common signs of hormonal imbalance in women include:

Irregular menstrual cycle
Spotting or irregular bleeding
New or worsening acne
Facial hair
Male-pattern body hair
Male-pattern hair loss
Unexplained weight gain
Extreme mood changes

Hormonal imbalance is usually caused by dysfunction of the thyroid gland, or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), discussed in more detail below.

What Causes Infertility In Women?

There are various causes of infertility in women, and sometimes the cause remains unknown.

Here are the most common causes:

1) Infrequent Release Of Eggs From The Ovary:

Infrequent ovulation, hormonal imbalance & infertility

This can happen as a result of various physical or medical conditions, such as

General illnesses
Hormonal imbalance – such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Being overweight
Losing too much body weight
Premature ovarian failure or early menopause – this happens when the ovaries stop producing eggs before the age of 40.

2) Short Luteal Phase

The first day of your period starts the follicular phase, when the ovaries prepare to release an egg to the fallopian tube.

The luteal phase is the time period that immediately follows ovulation. The follicle in your ovary that contained the egg before ovulation changes into the corpus luteum whose function is to secrete progesterone.

Progesterone controls the luteal phase, and maintains the thickness and strength of uterine wall to maintain a pregnancy.

If your body doesn’t secrete enough progesterone, the uterine lining doesn’t properly develop. This makes it difficult for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus.

The luteal phase is typically 13 to 14 days on average. If your luteal phase is less than 10 days, a fertilized embryo may not be able to implant, preventing pregnancy.

A short luteal phase can also be due to the failure of the corpus luteum.

If the corpus luteum doesn’t secrete enough progesterone, your uterine lining may shed before a fertilized egg is implanted. This can cause an earlier menstrual cycle.

A short luteal phase can also be caused by

Anorexia
Obesity
Aging
Excessive exercise
Stress
Too much of the hormone prolactin – responsible for milk production
Underactive or overactive thyroid
Endometriosis (discussed below)
PCOS (discussed below)

How To Treat Short Luteal Phase

Progesterone supplementation: – The most common treatment for a short luteal phase is to give the woman extra progesterone to prevent the loss of a pregnancy. Usually, progesterone supplementation is begun three days after ovulation.
Lowering your body mass index (BMI): – Effective if the underlying reason is obesity. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. A lower BMI leads to a healthy body composition, where your body has a lower percentage of body fat and a higher percentage of non-fat mass.
Easy to moderate exercise: – Effective when stress or exercise are causing a problem

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3) Problems In The Womb

These are problems such as:

a) Uterine Fibroids:

Uterine fibroids are lumps that develop from the muscle wall of the womb (myometrium). Fibroids that sit or project inside the womb cavity are particularly known to cause infertility.

Fibroids can develop due to hormonal imbalance – if estrogen levels are too high. If you don’t have sufficient progesterone, the body can’t stop the growth.

Progesterone limits the effects of estrogen on fibroids, and also deters their growth and limits their size.

Studies also find that diets high in red meat and fats, especially animal fats, have been shown to increase the risk of fibroids and risk factors for fibroids, including high blood pressure.

Aim for a diet high in flavonoids, oily fish, green vegetables, fruits, and beans.

How To Treat Fibroids:

Surgery: – Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the fibroids or cut blood supply to them.
Lowering your BMI: – Weight / obesity has been shown to increase the risk of developing fibroids. Consider getting into ketosis to manage your weight. Our KETO XP supplement can help you get into ketosis.
Diet: – Avoid red meat, alcohol, refined carbs (such as rice, flour, etc), baked goods. Good foods are fruits and vegetables, whole grains, quinoa, etc.
Health supplements: – Low levels of vitamin A and D have been related to the risk for developing fibroids. Others are vitamins B-1, B-6, and E, as well as magnesium and omega3 fatty acids. DIM can also help with fibroids.

Learn About DIM

Learn About KETO XP

b) Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a hormonal condition in which the ovaries develop numerous small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to regularly release eggs.

Even though the exact cause is not known, PCOS seems to be caused by environmental factors as well as genetics.

Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone levels such as testosterone.

PCOS leads to fertility problems, weight gain, acne, and unwanted hair growth

It also leads to a condition where cells don’t respond well to the release of the hormone that breaks down glucose (insulin) – hence they can’t use the glucose they need for energy.

In response, the pancrease keeps making more and more insulin. Eventually the pancrease fails, leading to diabetes.

The extra insulin may have several negative effects including shutting down your ovaries and leading to higher than normal levels of male hormones, called androgens, including testosterone. Testosterone can interfere with normal ovulation, leading to fertility problems.

How To Treat PCOS:

Exercise: – Exercise builds muscle, thereby improving glucose metabolism. In fact, exercise is the only treatment that improves all markers of metabolic syndrome.
Lowering your BMI: – Many women with PCOS are overweight. Losing just 5 percent of their body weight can restore regular ovulation and menstruation and improve fertility.
Herbal supplements: – V. chasteberry has been very promising in treating PCOS. Other supplements like cinnamon, black cohosh, Tribulus terrestris, licorice, and Chinese peony, also show some benefits.
Medication: – Doctors will prescribe oral contraceptives to improve ovulation and reduce the potentially dangerous effects of too much estrogen on the uterine lining. If this doesn’t work, the drug metformin can reduce the amount of glucose the liver releases, and increases the amount of glucose absorbed in the intestine. This can restore ovulation in 30-50% of women with PCOS.

4) Endometriosis

In endometriosis, uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, which can lead to cysts being formed in the ovaries and the pelvis. This can cause the fallopian tubes to become distorted which, in turn, can lead to infertility.

Endometriosis can also be caused by high levels of estrogen.

Common signs of endometriosis include:

Painful periods
Pain during intercourse
Heavy menstrual periods and bleeding between periods
Infertility

How To Treat Endometriosis:

The conventional treatment for endometriosis involves pain medication, hormonal therapy, or surgery.

In some cases, hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries is done.

Health supplements can also be effective in treating endometriosis, such as:

DIM (diindolylmethane): – DIM, is anti-inflammatory in nature, and is metabolized similarly to estrogen. Because of this, in low doses, it may help promote healthy estrogen breakdown and removal from the body.
DIM is available in Kenya from reed Naturals.
Vitamin B6: – It is possible that vitamin B6 might play a role in hormone regulation. Through a complex pathway, vitamin B6 may reduce the level of estrogen in the body, potentially relieving endometriosis-related symptoms.
Curcumin (turmeric):– Research on curcumin for the treatment of endometriosis is limited, however, several studies and reviews have suggested that it may provide relief from endometriosis-related symptoms.

Learn About DIM

5) Blockage Of One Or Both Fallopian Tubes:

This can happen through

Infection – such as Chlamydia, which is a sexually transmitted disease
Pelvic adhesions caused through surgery or through non-tubal infection (such as appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease)
Endometriosis, which can cause a tissue buildup in the tubes
Pelvic inflammatory disease, a disease that can cause scarring
Fibroids, which are growths that can block the fallopian tube

Summary

I know this post contains a lot of information about how hormonal imbalance relates to infertility. It’s hard to capture everything in one post, especially given that every woman’s situation may be unique.

Getting a basic understanding of how hormones relate to fertility and women’s health will help you address the specific problem preventing pregnancy.

Women’s Health: Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) And Hormonal Balance

by Simon | Oct 15, 2020 | Women's Health Supplements, Acne Supplements, Weight Management Supplements And Guides

About 90% of women report getting Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS). PMS is a condition that affects a woman’s physical health, emotions and behavior especially just before her menstrual period.

PMS symptoms typically start 5 to 10 days before menstruation, and go away just after the menses start.

In this article, we’ll explore the causes and how to manage and treat Pre-Menstrual Syndrome.

What Causes Pre-Menstrual Syndrome?

Even though the exact mechanism of what causes PMS has never been described, doctors believe it’s related to both sex hormones and serotonin levels at the beginning of the menstrual cycle.

Levels of estrogen and progesterone increase during certain times of the month, which can cause mood swings, anxiety, and irritability.

Serotonin levels affect mood. Serotonin is a chemical in your brain and gut that affects your moods, emotions, and thoughts.

Around 14 days in your menstrual cycle, ovulation occurs (when a mature egg is released from the ovary).

The empty follicle that has nurtured the egg forms a corpus luteum, which produces high levels of the hormone progesterone and some oestradiol. These prepare the womb for pregnancy if conception has occurred. If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum breaks down, and the production of progesterone and oestradiol begins to fall.

This starts about a week before the next period, which coincides with Pre-Menstrual Syndrome.

Estrogen levels also fall during this time. In women with PMS, serotonin levels drop as estrogen levels drop. This is around the 2 weeks before the period. Women with low serotonin levels are likely to have symptoms of PMS. Some women maintain steady levels of serotonin.

Pre-Menstrual Syndrome is also linked to lifestyle factors such as bad diet, stress, and smoking which cause chronic inflammation. Inflammation causes PMS because it impairs the health and resilience of hormone receptors, which makes you hyper-sensitive to the normal rise and fall of your hormones.

Key Takeaway:

When estrogen levels fall, serotonin levels also drop in women with PMS. Lifestyle factors like bad diet, stress, and smoking cause chronic inflammation, which can cause PMS.

Symptoms of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome

We can classify these as physical or behavioral symptoms:

Physical symptoms of PMS:

Breast tenderness
Joint or muscle pain
Abdominal bloating
Acne flare-ups
Constipation or diarrhea
Headache
Fatigue
Weight gain related to fluid retention
Swelling of the hands or feet

Emotional or behavioral symptoms:

Depressed mood
Tension or anxiety
Mood swings and irritability or anger
Poor concentration
Change in libido
Appetite changes and food cravings
Trouble falling asleep (insomnia)
Social withdrawal
Crying spells

What Are The Pre-Disposing Factors Of PMS?

Some factors common in women with PMS include:

History of depression or mood disorders, such as postpartum depression or bipolar disorder
Family history of PMS
Family history of depression
Domestic violence, physical or emotional trauma
Substance abuse

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Treating PMS With Diet And Lifestyle Changes

Because the exact cause of PMS is not clearly understood, most treatments revolve around treating the symptoms.

Since there’s a definite link between hormonal changes and PMS, stabilizing hormonal imbalances may be successful in complementing regular treatment.

If your PMS is mild to moderate, these changes should reduce PMS symptoms:

Avoid caffeine and alcohol
Reduce your intake of fat, salt, and sugar
Maintain a balanced diet to improve your overall health and energy level – take lots of fruits and vegetables
Get at least 8 hours of sleep to reduce fatigue
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day to decrease bloating and improve your mental health and reduce stress

Role Of Nutritional Supplements In PMS

Studies show that certain supplements may help relieve some PMS symptoms.

Health supplements are not evaluated the same way by FDA like other drugs in clinical trials. For this reason, your doctor may not recommend supplements to relieve PMS symptoms. However if you’re taking medication, talk to a health professional in case of rare interactions.

Calcium:

Studies show that calcium can help reduce some PMS symptoms, such as fatigue, cravings, and depression.

A calcium supplement is recommended for PMS.

Vitamin B6:

Vitamin B6 can help alleviate PMS symptoms such as moodiness, irritability, forgetfulness, bloating, and anxiety.

Magnesium:

Magnesium may help relieve some PMS symptoms, including migraines.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6):

Studies show that taking a supplement with 1 to 2 grams of polyunsaturated fatty acids may help reduce cramps and other PMS symptoms.

V. agnus-castus:

Researchers believe that V. agnus-castus works by decreasing levels of the hormone prolactin. This helps rebalance other hormones, including estrogen and progesterone — thus reducing PMS symptoms

In one study, women with PMS took V. agnus-castus during three consecutive menstrual cycles. In total, 93 percent of those given V. agnus-custus reported a decrease in PMS symptoms.

This supplement is available at Reed Naturals here in Kenya.

DIM:

DIM supplements have quickly gained steam as the supplement of choice to reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause symptoms. They are also used to treat acne, hot flushes, weight loss, thyroid disorders and menopause among others.

DIM works by reducing the levels of “bad estrogen” and raising “good estrogens”.

DIM is also available here in Kenya.

Introducing DIM Supplement (3,3 Diindolylmethane)

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

Using Medication To Treat PMS

If your PMS symptoms are too severe, you may need to see a doctor. A small percentage of women suffer from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is a severe form of PMS.

A doctor may prescribe hormonal contraceptives that suppress ovulation.

Summary

PMS continues to be a big problem for most women. While some women experience symptoms that can interfere with their daily lives, most women can treat PMS with diet and lifestyle changes as well as taking health supplements.

Women with severe PMS symptoms should talk to their doctor in case they have more serious underlying issues.

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

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

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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

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Collagen Supplements – 12 Amazing Benefits Of Taking Collagen Peptides

What Is Collagen?

Types Of Collagen

Introducing Hydrolyzed, Collagen Peptides

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Benefits Of Taking Collagen Peptides

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

2: Collagen Peptides Can Boost Muscle Mass

3: Collagen Peptides Relieve Joint Pain & Promote Joint Health

4: Collagen Supplements Keep Bones Strong

5: Collagen Promotes Heart Health

6: Collagen Prevents & Reverses Cellulite And Stretch Marks

7: Collagen Supplements Improve Hair & Nails

8: Collagen Peptides Can Improve Gut Health

9: Collagen Peptides Can Help In Weight Management

10: Collagen May Help Alleviate Anxiety

11: Collagen Peptides May Help With Better Sleep

12: Collagen Supplements May Help Support Teeth & Gums

Collagen Side Effects

Frequent Questions

Why use collagen for supplement rather than from food?

What affects collagen?

When can i see first results?

What role does C-vitamin play in collagen?

Is it okay to use collagen during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

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

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

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

What Is Estrogen Dominance?

What Causes Estrogen Dominance?

1: Environmental Estrogen Mimicking “Xenoestrogens”

2: Stress

3: Being overweight

4: Signs And Symptoms Of Estrogen Dominance

1: Fibrocystic Breasts

2: Swelling And Tenderness In Your Breasts

2: Menstrual Problems

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4: Allergies & Asthma

5: Bloating & Water Retention

6: Slow Metabolism & Weight Gain

7: Fat Accumulation

8: Skin Tags

9: Darkening Of Skin On The Neck & Armpits

10: Skin Pigmentation

11: Rapid Aging

12: Estrogen Dominance Causes Acne

13: Abnormal Hair Growth

14: PCOS – Polycystic Ovaries

15: Irregular Menstrual Periods

16: Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)

17: Uterine Fibroids

18: Endometriosis

19: Low Sex Drive & Vaginal Dryness

20: Trouble Sleeping (Insomnia)

21: Hair Loss & Thinning

22: Anxiety, Mood Swings & Panic Attacks

23: Cold Hands & Feet

24: Thyroid Dysfunction

25: Foggy Thinking & Memory Loss

26: Headaches

27: Sleepiness or Fatigue

28: Cellulite

Natural Treatment For Estrogen Dominance

What is Chasteberry Castus?

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

Table Of Contents

Sex Hormones Explained

1) Diindolylmethane Maintains Estrogen Balance

2) DIM Is A Hormonal Treatment For Acne

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DIM Is Now Available At Reed Naturals

3) Testosterone Supplementation & Body Building Using DIM

4)Diindolylmethane (DIM) Benefits For Cancer Prevention

5) DIM Leads To Easier Weight Management