Women’s health frequently doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, increase your healthspan or decrease hormonal symptoms, this guide is here to help you take control of your own unique health profile. And for all the women in business, this means empowering the team that powers your business. Here are some of the best supplements for female hormonal health...

Which natural supplements help with perimenopause and menopause?

For more than 700 years, women in Southeast Asia have used the root of the Pueraria mirifica plant to help alleviate the symptoms of menopause such as hot flushes. And one of the best supplements containing this wonder herb is Amata Life. Containing a potent mix of pueraria mirifica, kelp extract for iodine, vitamin B12, Folic Acid, selenomethionine, biotin and vitamin B6, Amata Life helps the liver metabolise estrogen. 

Pueraria Mirifica contains a potent phytoestrogen called Mirosterol, which activates the body’s natural female hormone receptors, without affecting estrogen levels in the body. Finally, it also has powerful antioxidant properties, protecting the lining of blood vessels and other tissues from oxidative damage – and thereby supporting healthy ageing.

What are the best supplements to take during pregnancy?

Omega-3 fatty acids (Omega-3 FA) are key elements of cell membranes in the body, and precursors of the locally produced hormone eicosanoid. Eicosanoids help inhibit inflammation, allergies and other immune responses, and play an especially important role in the female body. Studies have found that supplementation with omega-3 FA during pregnancy lowers the risk of premature birth, and can even increase the duration of pregnancy and birth weight by altering the balance of eicosanoids involved in labour. 

In fact, an increased intake of omega-3 FA during pregnancy and breastfeeding may even help improve the child’s brain development(1). Further, omega-3 FA can play a positive role in the prevention of postpartum depression, menopausal problems, postmenopausal osteoroperosis and even breast cancer(2). One of the highest quality, natural sources of omega-3 FAs is Rosita EVCLO. Sustainably harvested from wild cod in the pristine waters of Norway, it’s packed with naturally-occurring Vitamins A & D and is one of the purest forms of EVCLO you’ll find.

Which supplements can help increase lifespan?

Reducing the intake of calories has been proven to extend human lifespan and healthspan. Studies have shown that caloric restriction not only helps reduce blood glucose levels, but also repair and preserve mitochondria and cellular DNA function(3). BenaGene is a new caloric restriction mimetic, which makes your body think it’s in a fasted state. It does this by mimicking up to 98% of the changes in the genetic expression of over 350 genes – similar to the changes that occur when you practice intermittent fasting.

The supplement BenaGene is essentially stabilized oxaloacetic acid, and in the citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle(4), oxaloacetate takes a hydrogen atom to make malate and NAD. High levels of NAD have been linked to increased lifespan in humans, helping to decrease inflammation and form fresh new mitochondria for energy production. Links have also been made to the reduction of degenerative diseases in animals and oxaloacetate supplementation, though more human studies are needed to draw direct conclusions(5).  

Which supplements support sleep and energy levels?

Supplementing with magnesium has been shown by numerous studies to help normalise the psychological stress response in humans(6). Research suggests that stress could increase magnesium loss in the body, causing a deficiency; in turn, magnesium deficiency could enhance the body’s susceptibility to stress. Stress and magnesium are therefore intricately connected.

With stress comes sleep disturbances, anxiety, nervous energy, muscular tension and lack of energy, and increasing magnesium supplementation has been proven to normalise all of these symptoms. One of the best supplements is Magnesium Breakthrough, which harnesses the power of 7 different forms of magnesium: Magnesium chelate, citrate, bisglycinate, malate, aspartate taurate, and orotate, each of which play different roles in promoting a stronger, more energised body and immune system.

Which vitamins help maintain healthy skin and hair?

The health benefits of collagen are well researched, with studies showing that collagen supplementation can help reduce joint pain(7), improve skin tone and elasticity(8), bone mineral density and promote healthy hair growth. And from our mid-twenties, collagen production drops off by 1-2% each year, as much as 10-15% by the time you reach the age of 40. Great Lakes Gelatin is a premium product that provides 20 different amino acids to aid the healing and repair of connective tissue and bone mineral density(9). Sourced from pasture-raised and grass-fed cattle in Argentina and Brazil, it’s easily digested just a few minutes after eating, meaning it quickly assimilates in the body to hydrate the connective tissue.

Which supplements can improve bone density?

Silica has been traditionally used to strengthen hair and brittle nails, with research showing that it plays a vital role in optimal collagen synthesis, and in healthy hair growth(10). Studies have found a connection between the improvement in the fragility of nails and hair and increased silica supplementation and that orthosilicic acid (OSA) actually stimulates fibroblasts to secrete collagen type 1 synthesis(11). Silicum Pure is an effective combination of silica and MCT oil, and uses a technique that enables the silica to be transported to the deep regions of the intestines for optimal bioavailability. What’s more, silica binds to harmful metals like aluminium, and helps transport them out of the body(12). So if you’re looking to increase and support healthy bone density and cellular metabolism, then consider adding silica to your daily supplements.

These supplements have been proven to improve female healthspan and support the key physiological functions like cellular health, bone growth, hormones and energy levels. 

Supplementation means much more than just a daily dose of Vitamin C tablets. When used carefully, they can positively impact general wellbeing and longevity, even supporting mental and physical health after giving birth and the development of a healthy baby during pregnancy.

References
1 Women and omega-3 Fatty acids
2 Dietary omega-3 fatty acids for women
3 Chronic Caloric Restriction Preserves Mitochondrial Function in Senescence Without Increasing Mitochondrial Biogenesis
4 Krebs Cycle Intermediates Protective against Oxidative Stress by Modulating the Level of Reactive Oxygen Species in Neuronal HT22 Cells
5 NAD+ and Sirtuins in Aging and Disease
6 Magnesium Status and Stress: The Vicious Circle Concept Revisited
7 24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain
8 Effect of Orally Administered Collagen Peptides from Bovine Bone on Skin Aging in Chronologically Aged Mice
9 Specific Collagen Peptides Improve Bone Mineral Density and Bone Markers in Postmenopausal Women—A Randomized Controlled Study
10 Use of silicon for skin and hair care: an approach of chemical forms available and efficacy*
11 Orthosilicic acid stimulates collagen type 1 synthesis and osteoblastic differentiation in human osteoblast-like cells in vitro
12 https://www.rilling-healthcare.de/en/the-mineral-silica/the-function-of-silica/