A-Z hormonal balance Articles

The adrenal glands are small, crescent-shaped glands that rest on the top of each kidney. They each have an outer layer called the cortex, which produces sex hormones, regulates water balance and blood pressure, and releases the hormone cortisol, which is responsible for our ability to manage long-term stress. The medulla (inner core) produces the sudden-stress response hormones called adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). Thus, these glands play a role in our fertility, hormonal balance, water balance (bloating), and particularly with our ability to handle stress. These are the glands that take the hardest hit when we are chronically stressed.

What Is Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal insufficiency is uncommon, and can lead to a severe medical condition (adrenal crisis) that is deadly if left untreated. Adrenal fatigue, on the other hand, is a general term used to describe the condition caused by chronic stress and poor lifestyle choices that deplete adrenal reserves. Some examples of this poor lifestyle are: poor diet, excessive caffeine intake, and abuse of drugs or alcohol. Symptoms of low adrenal function are often generally regarded as signs of being "stressed out" such as: lethargy, dizziness, headaches, memory problems, food cravings, blood sugar imbalances, and increased infections. As the dysfunction becomes more severe, fainting, diarrhea, depression, moodiness, feeling cold, discolouration of the skin, swelling and loss of body hair can occur.

How is Adrenal Fatigue Treated?

When the adrenal glands completely fail, medical treatment is required to replace missing hormones to prevent shock and death. When function is simply sub-optimal, many different means of treatment exist. First and foremost, a healthy diet and lifestyle, including reducing life stressors can do wonders for their health. Unfortunately, today's fast paced world doesn't always allow for us to live the healthy lifestyle we would like, and sometimes these glands may need a little help for a particularly stressful period of time. Often this is where glandular extracts will come into play.

Adrenal Glandular Extracts

Like most glandular extracts, adrenal glandular is often from either bovine (cow), or porcine (pig) sources. These extracts contain all of the nutritional fundamentals, cofactors, and hormones present in the organ. This can be considered a complete nutritional supplement for adrenal gland support. Because of its high concentration of hormones, it is not recommended that this glandular be used for extended periods of time, but instead that it be used acutely to boost these glands in times of great stress.

Other Adrenal Supporting Supplements

Other support supplements products include: vitamin C, B-complex, L-tyrosine, and herbs such as licorice and Siberian ginseng.

How Do I Take Adrenal Glandulars?

Adrenal glandular can be found alone or in combination formulas with other nutrients and herbs that support healthy adrenal functioning. Because there is a lack of research and standardization, each glandular extract may be a different concentration and should be taken according to the suggested dosing on the label of that product.

Side Effects & Important Information

Adrenal glandular is very potent and should not be used for extended periods of time unless recommended by your healthcare practitioner. Long-term adrenal support should involve diet and lifestyle changes as well as stress-reduction exercises. Side effects of these glandulars may include: extreme fatigue, palpitations, blood pressure fluctuations, and anxiety. Discontinue use immediately if side effects occur.

The chaste tree berry received its name from the ancient Greeks and Romans because they believed it decreased the female libido, thus ensuring chastity. Historically, it has been eaten and worn by Monks to promote celibacy. However, it is now known that chaste tree berry triggers a gland in the brain that produces hormones that in fact, stimulate sex hormones.

How Does Chaste Tree Support Health?

Its modern medicinal uses are also related to sex hormones. Active ingredients of chaste trees have been noted to affect the pituitary gland. This gland is located in the brain and produces hormones that stimulate the production of sex hormones in other areas of the body. It also contains chemicals that have the ability to stimulate human progesterone receptors and favour the production of luteinizing hormone over follicle-stimulating hormone. These hormones are used in the female body to support pregnancy and lactation, but their effects can also help other female complaints.

Modern Medicinal Benefits of Chaste Tree Berry

While there are many medicinal and historical uses for this nutrient, natural health practitioners recommended chaste trees for conditions such as PMS, acne and menstrual cramps; hot flashes, vaginal dryness and other menopausal symptoms; insufficient milk production and first-trimester miscarriages.

Chaste Tree Berry Supplement Varieties

Purchasing a quality chaste tree berry supplement is important to ensure potency and purity. Chaste tree comes in many supplement varieties and the format is up to individual preference. It can be purchased as a loose herb, tincture or encapsulated herb. Better quality supplements are standardized which is an assurance that the product contains chaste trees and contains active properties. The berry contains the greatest concentration of active ingredients.

Potential Side Effects

Although natural health practitioners may recommend it to pregnant women, chaste trees may induce menstruation and should be used cautiously. It may alter hormonal cycles and theoretically can interfere with birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. It alters dopamine levels and may affect drugs for seizures, Parkinson’s and mental disorders.

Estrogens are a group of hormones that are produced in the ovaries in females, and small amounts in the male testicles. Estrogen is also produced in very small amounts by the adrenal gland. Throughout a woman’s life span, the production and balance of female hormones change significantly. These changes can be normal or pathological, depending on the woman’s age and resulting symptoms, thus affecting her overall health and vitality. Both high and low levels of estrogen (otherwise known as an imbalance) are associated with health problems. Luckily there are natural ways to help balance your estrogen levels.

Different Forms of Estrogen: Estrone, Estradiol, Estriol & Xenoestrogens

There are a few different forms of estrogen, which is important for one to understand when talking about ‘healthy’ estrogen levels. 

Estrone

One form, estrone, is produced in the fat cells of both men and women. Estrone is strong in terms of its stimulation of the body and must be kept in check by having adequate levels of the other estrogens, estradiol and estriol. High estrone increases the risk of heart disease, unhealthy cell growth, polycystic ovaries and PMS. Estrone becomes more abundant in women who are obese. 

Estradiol 

Estradiol is the most abundant estrogen in women of reproductive age. The benefits of estradiol are many, including a decrease in osteoporosis, decreased risk of unhealthy cell formation in the colon, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s and general cognitive decline. It also has the overall benefit of slowing the aging process. Estradiol promotes healthy genital tissue and soft (wrinkle-free) skin. It decreases the risk of diabetes, and macular degeneration, and prevents tooth loss with aging by promoting a healthy oral mucosa. High levels of estradiol cause the same problems as high levels of estrone. 

Estriol

Estriol becomes important in postmenopausal women but it only stimulates the body a little as compared to estrone and estradiol. Optimal levels of estriol protect women from complaints of aging like heart disease, loss of hair, skin wrinkling and bone loss.

Xenoestrogens

Xenoestrogens are synthetic or natural chemical compounds that imitate estrogen in living organisms. BPA is one widely known compound with these effects. Natural xenoestrogens include phytoestrogens (more on these later). High exposure to xenoestrogens has been linked to precocious (or early) puberty, infertility and other disorders of the reproductive system.

Yes, there are many theories about how and when to get the most accurate picture of hormone levels. Blood levels are accurate, but very specific, meaning that they will tell you your levels are on the day and time that you have the testing done. In cases of infertility, many doctors choose to check specific hormones on specific days in the cycle, to find out if levels are peaking and declining as they should be (in this case to support pregnancy). Your MD or ND can order these tests.

The Benefits of Estrogen

Estrogen, it's not all that bad. Estrogen protects a woman’s body in many ways. The benefits of estradiol are many, a few of the most important are:

• Decrease in Osteoporosis
• Decreased Risk in Unhealthy Cell Formation in Colon
• Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
• Protects Against Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Decline
• Slowing or Preventing Aging Process

Estradiol promotes healthy genital tissue and soft skin with decreased wrinkling. It decreases the risk of diabetes, and macular degeneration, and prevents tooth loss with aging by promoting a healthy oral mucosa.

Understanding Healthy Estrogen Levels

“Healthy” Estrogen Levels

In a healthy middle-aged woman (before entering peri/pre-menopause), estradiol should increase throughout the first half of the cycle, peaking just before ovulation. A drastic drop in estradiol is actually what signals ovulation. Throughout the last half of the cycle, estradiol rises and falls again, but only to about half of what it does in the first part of the cycle. Once again hitting a low at the end of the cycle, menses begins.

“High” Estrogen

As with every ‘healthy’ state in the body, hormone health is all about BALANCE. In this sense, high estrogen can mean one of two things: estrogen is high, OR progesterone is low, and therefore estrogen is unopposed, or high relative to progesterone levels. This is referred to as relative estrogen dominance. Both of these patterns can result in the same conditions/symptom picture, as seen in PMS (breast tenderness, mood swings, headaches, cramping, acne, water retention), fibrocystic breasts, estrogen-dependent breast cancers, thyroid dysfunction, irregular cycles, etc.

“Low” Estrogen

Abnormally low levels of estrogen can be responsible for early menopause, delayed menstruation and more. 

Menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, loss of libido, vaginal dryness, etc.) could be related to declining estrogen levels, or relative estrogen dominance, as progesterone declines both earlier and at a much faster rate than estrogen.

Hormone Replacement Therapy: What You Need To Know

In 2002, A Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study was cut short when preliminary results showed that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), as a combination of estrogen and progestin, had a higher rate of breast cancer, heart disease and stroke than women taking placebo. This study changed the way that HRT was recommended. 

Now, HRT is generally used with more caution, and generally recommended as a short-term treatment only. What women should know is that there is one huge exception to the HRT-with-caution-rule, and that is in the case of hysterectomy. In women who have had a hysterectomy, there is convincing research showing that (estrogen-only) HRT may be responsible for significant protection against heart disease, blood clots, stroke or early death. 

Estrogens are available only by prescription in Canada. They can be taken orally, by injection, or applied topically as a cream.

Natural Alternatives To Estrogen Hormone Replacement Therapy

Natural ways to enhance the body’s production of estrogen without taking estrogen itself, are several natural options to boost estrogen production. By supporting the function of the ovaries the body can optimize its estrogen levels, relative to a woman’s age. Supporting adrenal function is another natural way of supporting estrogen, as this is the only alternate sight of estrogen production in women, once ovarian function begins to decline.

Fats and Protein For A Natural Estrogen Boost

Essential fatty acid and protein intake is important. Essential fatty acids are used to make steroid molecules, the precursors to hormones like estrogens. Primrose and borage oil are two sources of essential fatty acids that have a particular affinity for balancing female hormones. Protein is what the body uses to build connective tissue, bone and fetal tissue under the direction of hormones, like estrogen.

Natural Vitamins/Minerals For Estrogen Balance

Vitamins and minerals that support sexual gland function include vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B complex, vitamin B6, zinc, beta-carotene, calcium, magnesium, selenium and zinc.

Key Plant Medicine For Natural Estrogen Support

Herbs can support estrogen production by containing plant estrogens (phytoestrogens); compounds that look similar to human estrogen and can interact with estrogen receptors in the human body. The important thing to remember is that these plant estrogens only stimulate the receptors a fraction of the amount that the hormone estrogen would. Therefore they can be used to treat conditions of high estrogen activity, by blocking the activity of the hormone estrogen. It can also treat conditions of low estrogen activity by binding to vacant receptor sites and causing a low level of hormonal stimulation. Some examples of plants that contain phytoestrogens are dong quai, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra), red clover and soy.

Fennel seed is a gentle digestive aid that has a pleasant licorice taste and aroma. It can be used as a flavouring in baked goods and desserts. Fennel offers these health benefits due to its active ingredients, like the essential oils contained inside the seeds.

Top Medicinal Constituents Found in Fennel Seeds

There are over 28 compounds that have been identified in fennel seeds. These medicinal compounds include anethole, fenchone, methyl chavicol, and limonene, to name a few. These constituents are what give fennel its amazing health benefits. In animal and test-tube studies, they found that the organic compound anethole has antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, plus it protects against unhealthy cell growth.

Key Health Benefits of Fennel

As mentioned above, fennel is a great digestive-supporting supplement. It decreases that “heavy” feeling you get in your stomach after eating a large meal by promoting movement in the gastrointestinal tract. Ironically, it also decreases intestinal spasms when it is taken in larger quantities.

In the respiratory tract, the essential oils decrease mucus secretions and increase the activity of the little hairs that line the tract. The hairs are responsible for moving mucus out of the lungs and up to the throat where it can be expectorated.

Fennel seed is recommended by natural health practitioners for a variety of concerns including:

• Coughs
• Colds
• Allergies (Environmental)
• Indigestion and Diarrhea
• Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
• Menstrual Cramps

Different Varieties of Fennel Supplements

Fennel seeds are usually crushed or ground to release the essential oils (medicinal ingredients). They can be purchased loose, in tea bags or encapsulated. Fennel may be found in formulas for soothing the digestive tract or decreasing coughs.

Potential Side Effects & Cautions To Consider

It has been reported that fennel can lead to allergic bronchial and skin reactions but these reactions are rare. Fennel essential oil is a concentrated form of fennel. All essential oils carry an increased risk of toxicity when they are used internally and should not be given to pregnant women or children.

Throughout history, people have used glandular tissues as food and as nutritional supplementation. Many different cultures often ate organs and glands from animals or fish to improve their general health or to treat specific ailments. These animal glandulars are concentrated sources of nutrients that can be specifically beneficial to their parallel tissues in the human body.

What Are Glandulars?

The term glandular extract has come to be an umbrella term used to describe both animal glandular and organ extracts that are ingested to nourish and support the corresponding human gland or organ. The glandular extracts that we use today are products made from the dried and powdered glandular (or organ) tissue of animals such as sheep (ovine), pigs (porcine) and cows (bovine). They often contain naturally occurring ratios of hormones and/or constituents and precursors of hormones found in the human body, although some (such as thyroid glandular), have particular hormones removed to prevent toxic effects from over-the-counter use. These extracts are often used when the gland of interest is under-functioning, or the person is experiencing symptoms of reduced function without corresponding altered laboratory results.

Exploring The Different Glandulars Available

Adrenal Glandulars

The adrenal glands, located on the top of each kidney, are responsible for our adaptation to stress: both for our "fight-or-flight" response and our adaptability to chronic stress. This type of glandular extract contains all the constituents, precursors and hormones present in the adrenal gland. Thus, this glandular extract is used to nourish the adrenals and promote proper response in times of greater stress. Because it is so potent, this extract is often only used for a short duration to prevent the occurrence of side effects.

Kidney Glandulars

The kidneys are two of the main organs of elimination and are responsible for filtering and detoxifying the blood as well as maintaining water balance in the body. Although the kidney is an organ and not a gland, it is placed under the same name umbrella to associate it with the other animal organs and glands ingested to nourish their human counterpart organ. Thus, kidney glandular is taken to help establish the healthy functioning of the kidney and to promote detoxification of the blood.

Liver Glandulars

The liver is a large organ located just below the diaphragm in the upper right abdomen. It is a central organ in our bodies and is responsible for the vast majority of our detoxification, as well as a litany of other functions. Much like the kidney listed above, the liver is an organ and not a gland but is placed under the glandular extract umbrella because it is being used in the same fashion as the glandular extracts listed here.

Pancreas Glandular Supplements

The pancreas is a relatively large gland that spans much of the upper abdomen between the small intestine, stomach, and spleen. It has two major functions performed by different subclasses of cells: it releases hormones such as insulin into the bloodstream to regulate blood glucose levels, and it releases digestive enzymes and bicarbonate into the digestive tract to break down complex food molecules and neutralize the stomach acid as it enters the small intestine. Although pancreatic extract was originally used to identify and treat diabetes, it has since been replaced by more effective pharmaceuticals for this condition. It is still used to treat malabsorption and malnutrition in those individuals with insufficient pancreatic enzymes.

Pituitary Glandulars

The pituitary is a small, pea-sized, gland located at the base of the brain. It is considered the master gland of the body and regulates the function of a large number of glands in the body. The pituitary is divided into two halves: anterior and posterior, which perform different functions. The anterior pituitary plays a role in growth, breast milk production, sex organ functions (male and female), thyroid gland function (and thus metabolism), water balance in the body (and in this way blood pressure), temperature regulation, and it also makes endorphins to relieve pain. The posterior pituitary plays a role in blood pressure control (blood vessel contraction), orgasm, and increasing muscle tone in the body for contractions during childbirth and intestinal peristalsis. Posterior pituitary extract has long been supplemented during intestinal surgery and childbirth to reduce bleeding and side effects. Anterior pituitary extract supplementation has been theorized to increase growth hormone rates, which can reduce physical aging, although human studies have yet to be performed.

Thymus Gland Extracts

The thymus is a gland located underneath the breastbone that is responsible for much of our immunological development during childhood, particularly for the subclass of immune cells known as T-cells. Because these T-cells are involved in fighting bacterial and viral infections in the body, thymus glandular extract has been considered as a possible support for immune function.

Thyroid Glandulars

The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating the majority of the body's metabolism, and dysfunction results in alterations in weight, body temperature, hair growth, bowel function, etc. Thyroid glandular extract is purified so that they do not contain thyroxine (T3 or T4) to prevent side effects of excess thyroid hormone being caused by an over-the-counter supplement. Instead, this glandular simply provides the nutrients, precursors, and lesser-known hormones produced by the thyroid that may be lacking in patients with symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Current Research On Glandular Extracts

There is little research directly on glandular extracts for a variety of reasons. The most important reason is that there is such a wide variety of constituents depending on the animal used, the life conditions and diet of that animal, as well as how the extract is prepared. Research in general, tends to examine the effects of single substances on particular outcomes of interest. Each study is supposed to be well-controlled and easily reproducible. This system works well for single drugs, herbs, and other therapeutics, but does not work well with complex and variable compounds. As such, it is often difficult to find studies on glandular extracts that are not brand-specific, meaning that they were funded by one specific manufacturer and may be biased. It is this variability that often makes finding a particular brand and type that is compatible and effective a matter of trial and error. This variability and lack of standardization eliminates the examination and proper determination of effective dose. Because of this, each manufacturer tends to have their recommendations based on their unique product. Because no better information exists, it is best to follow the suggested dosing guidelines found on the label of each specific supplement.

Cautions & Important Information To Consider When Using Glandular Supplements

A few of the glandulars listed above are still in general use today, although most have fallen out of favour in the supplement community, particularly those extracted from organ tissue. Increased restrictions on sales internationally, combined with fears of contamination with toxins or diseases have led to interest more towards other therapeutic ideas such as diet and lifestyle changes, supportive herbs and direct supplementation of nutrients to treat glandular and organ deterioration. There are certain instances where glandular extracts are still the best treatment available, and so care should be taken about which brand and type is used.

Prions and Mad Cow Disease

Although prions can infect many different species, the general public is most familiar with the infection of cows resulting in bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or "mad cow disease". Prions consist of an infectious misfolded protein that converts other nearby proteins to its prion form. Currently, all known prion diseases affect neural tissue. The prions then accumulate in the tissue, causing destruction and eventual tissue loss. This means of infection is a relatively new discovery for humans, as before 1960 it was generally accepted that infectious agents were only bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Interestingly, it is currently believed that prions can only be transmitted through ingestion, although there is some research looking into inhalation as well.

How To Select The Best Glandular Supplements

Glandulars and organ extracts are extracted from the corresponding animal organ either of a cow (bovine), pig (porcine), or sheep (ovine). The best sources for obtaining these extracts are animals that have been organically raised and have not been exposed to contagious diseases such as mad cow disease. The best source for glandular extracts is New Zealand where they are free from pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics, and disease. There has never been a documented case of mad cow disease in New Zealand. For specific information on each glandular extract, please click on the links above.

The pituitary gland, often referred to as the "master gland," plays a crucial role in regulating a multitude of bodily functions, from growth and metabolism to stress response. As interest in holistic health grows, pituitary glandular supplements have gained popularity for their overall well-being. Let's further explore the benefits, uses, and considerations of this supplement.

What Is The Pituitary Gland?

The pituitary is a small, pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain in the skull. It is the master gland of the body and regulates the hormone production of many other glands in the body. Some examples of this regulation are: growth hormone, thyroid hormone, sex hormones, anti-diuretic hormone (blood pressure regulation), and adrenal stress hormones. The pituitary is divided into two halves: anterior and posterior, both of which perform different functions.

The anterior pituitary plays a role in growth, breast milk production, sex organ functions (male and female), thyroid gland function (and thus metabolism), water balance in the body (and in this way blood pressure), temperature regulation, and it also makes endorphins to relieve pain. The posterior pituitary plays a role in blood pressure control (blood vessel contraction), orgasm, and increasing muscle tone in the body for contractions during childbirth, and intestinal peristalsis. Historically, posterior pituitary was used during childbirth and during intestinal surgery to control hemorrhage and reduce the risk of temporary post-operative loss of intestinal function.

Pituitary Extract Supplements

The different aspects of the pituitary gland (anterior or posterior) can be harvested separately from animal sources (bovine, porcine or ovine) and used to supplement individuals who wish to boost any of their hormonal functions.

Anterior pituitary extract has been shown to increase growth in rats after prolonged use. Pituitary extract is also used in human cell cultures to increase growth rates. This has been used as rationale for supplementation in humans to increase growth hormone levels. Growth hormone levels decline with aging, so increasing growth hormone is thought to be one means of slowing the physical signs of aging. Significant human research has not been conducted, so the effect of this supplementation in humans cannot be concluded.

Taking Pituitary Gland Extracts

First, it is important to ensure that you are taking the correct type of pituitary extract (anterior or posterior) for the results you wish to achieve. These extracts can come in liquid or solid form (tablets or capsules) alone or in combination with herbs, nutrients and other glandulars.

The dosing of pituitary extract has not been well studied and like other glandular extracts, is not standardized for content. Because of this, each product should be dosed according to the recommendations on the label.

Important Information & Considerations

Although the risk of infection with all glandular extracts exists, it is relatively small in most cases. This is not the case with pituitary extracts, particularly those extracted from cows (bovine) because the pituitary is located in the skull, and prion infections are most densely concentrated in the brain (neural tissue).

For more information on this risk, please see the glandular extract article here. Also, due to the blood pressure altering affect of both anterior and posterior pituitary extracts, any use should be discontinued prior to surgery and use should be avoided in those taking blood pressure medication unless otherwise directed by a healthcare practitioner.

What is Primrose Oil?

Primrose oil contains about 10 percent gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega 6 essential fatty acid. The body cannot produce essential fats and they must be taken in through the diet. Your body uses GLA to produce hormone-like substances (eicosanoids) that support cardiovascular health. Let's further discover how primrose can support your health.

Health Benefits of GLA

As mentioned, primrose contains GLA, which supports heart health. It also helps maintain cholesterol levels because healthy fats build HDL cholesterol.

HDL cholesterol is responsible for moving fat, from storage or plaques, into the liver where processing and excretion of fat occurs. By decreasing fatty build-up on arteries it helps to regulate blood pressure.

GLA reduces the production of an inflammatory compound called arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid causes pain and inflammation in conditions such as arthritis. GLA helps to make the sheath (myelin) that surrounds the nerves that conduct messages from the brain to the muscles and organs of your body, performing a similar function to the insulation sheathing of electrical wires. If this protective sheath degenerates (as in MS), a "shorting out" of the message that the nerve is carrying occurs.

Since healthy fats play a large role in hormone formation, primrose oil can thus help optimize hormone levels in both men and women.

Primrose Supplement Varieties

GLA supplements are used to help atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, arthritis, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, PMS, menopausal discomforts, multiple sclerosis and liver cirrhosis.

Ensure your primrose supplement is not processed with heat because it damages the acids and creates free radicals. Some of the damaged fats turn into trans-fatty acids, which are well known for their promotion of cardiovascular disease. Supplements should also contain some vitamin E to prevent rancidity.

Primrose oil promotes estrogen production and so should not be used by cancer sufferers with estrogen receptor positive tumours. Instead, use black currant seed oil as a source of GLA.

The pretty flowering tops of the red clover are the medicinally active part of the plant. It is a phytoestrogenic agent. This means that it contains plant estrogens, compounds that look similar to human estrogen and can interact with estrogen receptors in the human body. The important thing to remember is that these plant estrogens only stimulate the receptors a fraction of the amount that the hormone estrogen would.

Red Clover Health Benefits

Red clover can be used to treat conditions of high estrogen activity, by blocking the activity of the hormone estrogen. It can also treat conditions of low estrogen activity by binding to vacant receptor sites and causing a bit of hormonal stimulation. It may be used to help menopausal symptoms, like hot flashes, anxiety and depression, and PMS. A liquid extract format is popular in Europe as a detoxification agent that targets the kidneys and liver.

Choosing Quality Supplements

Red clover supplements can be purchased as encapsulated herb, loose herb or liquid extract. Be sure to purchase a product that has been standardized to the isoflavone content. This is an assurance that the product contains red clover and has some active properties. It can also be found in formulas for hormonal balancing and detoxification.

Cautions & Considerations

Red clover should not be used concurrently with blood thinners or NSAIDs. Individuals with active bleeding or blood disorders should not use this herb. Breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women and those with a history of estrogen sensitive tumours should not use it. Discontinue use of this supplement 14 days prior to surgery or dental work. Theoretically it may alter levels of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement medication.

What is Saw Palmetto?

Saw Palmetto is a small palm tree native to the southeastern United States, known for its distinctive fan-shaped leaves and berries. The berries, rich in fatty acids and phytosterols, have been used traditionally in herbal medicine. Today, it is commonly taken as a supplement to support prostate health, urinary function, and hormonal balance, making it a popular natural remedy for men's health.

How Does Saw Palmetto Work in the Body?

In many cases, this herb relieves the symptoms of prostate enlargement just as well as conventional medication. Prostate growth is stimulated by excess levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This supplement works by inhibiting the production of DHT, stopping DHT from binding in the prostate and increasing the rate at which DHT is metabolized in the gland.

Excess estrogen slows the removal of DHT from the prostate. By inhibiting, estrogen, these berries also improves BPH. It has been shown in clinical studies to decrease the size of the prostate without altering PSA levels (the hormone that is a marker for prostate cancer).

Taking Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto’s medicinal qualities are most abundant in fat-soluble extracts of the berries. This herb can vary in quality and medicinal value, and it should be taken with meals that contain fat to improve its absorption.

Important Information

Prior to using saw palmetto, men should have a prostate screening and laboratory testing for prostate cancer. Men who use conventional BPH medications should use this herb under the guidance of a health professional. Thie supplement can theoretically affect the efficacy of oral contraceptives and estrogen.

What is The Thyroid?

Nestled in the front of your neck, the thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that plays a crucial role in regulating your body's metabolism. It controls how your body processes sugar, fat, and protein. It also influences key functions, like heart rate, body temperature, digestion, fertility, and skin and bone health. Maintaining the right balance of thyroid hormone is vital, ensuring your body stays energized while also having time to repair and thrive.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Low thyroid function is common in today’s society. This is due in part to stressful lifestyles, lack of nutritious foods and an increase in environmental pollutants. 

Signs your thyroid may be low functioning include: 

• Weight gain
• Frequent infections
• Dry and cold skin
• Poor nail growth and hair loss
• High cholesterol
• Swelling of the hands and feet
• Menstrual irregularities
• Goiter
• Fatigue and an increased need for sleep
• Decreased initiative, lack of concentration, and poor memory
• Bowel changes
• Muscle and joint aches
• Allergies and asthma

Supplements to Improve Thyroid Hormones

If you notice a change in your thyroid hormone levels and are diagnosed with hypothyroidism, Thyroxin is available by prescription in Canada. But, if you'd like a natural product, a supplement called Thyroid or Armour thyroid contains both T4 and the more active T3. This is important for a small percentage of people who can’t convert T4 into T3. 

Most thyroid glandular supplements are certified thyroxin- free to eliminate the risk of sending users into a hyperthyroid state. The best source for glandular extracts is New Zealand, where they are free from pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics and disease.

Here are several alternatives to enhance your body’s production of thyroxin without taking thyroxin itself:

• Protein intake is important because it contains the amino acid tyrosine, a precursor to thyroxin.
• Vitamins and minerals are needed to produce and convert thyroxin into the more potent T3. These nutrients include iodine, copper, zinc, selenium, vitamin A and vitamin E.
• Thyroid glandular is an extract of the thyroid gland of an animal, usually a sheep or cow. It supports the activity of the thyroid and regulates metabolism. It may provide its users with a mild increase in energy and stamina.

Dietary considerations for optimizing thyroid functioning include:

• Avoiding chlorinated and fluoridated water because they block iodine receptors in the thyroid. 
• Avoiding broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, peaches, pears, rutabagas, soybeans, onions, spinach and turnips because they suppress thyroid hormone function.