Two Adaptogenic Recommendations for Each Major Hormone

Navigating hormonal health is a pivotal aspect of wellness, especially for women. Adaptogens, with their unique ability to enhance the body’s resilience to stress, are invaluable in promoting hormonal equilibrium. This blog delves into how certain adaptogens, including those featured in NOVA's Breakthrough mix, can support the balance of key hormones that influence a woman’s health.

Hormonal Influence on Well-being

Hormones are essential chemical messengers that regulate our body's most fundamental activities, from controlling hunger and heart rate to managing reproductive health and emotional well-being. For women, maintaining hormonal balance is crucial not just for physical health but also for overall quality of life. Imbalances can lead to a variety of issues, including menstrual irregularities, mood swings, weight gain, and fatigue.

The Role of Adaptogens in Hormonal Balance

Adaptogens are natural substances that help the body resist assorted stressors, including physical, chemical, or biological factors. They support the adrenal glands, reducing the body’s stress response and helping to stabilize hormone levels. Which can contribute to a more balanced endocrine system, laying the groundwork for improved overall health. This support is particularly valuable for women, who may experience hormonal fluctuations due to various life stages, stress… and well, life in general.

This blog is not medical advice.

Estrogen Balance

Estrogen plays a vital role in reproductive health and affects other systems including bones, skin, and heart tissues.

Rhodiola Rosea: Stress Response Resiliency

• Rhodiola supports balanced estrogen levels by enhancing the body's stress response, potentially reducing the negative effects of cortisol on hormonal balance. This could also help with reducing any undesired weight gain as a result of hormonal imbalances. Check out more on Rhodiola here.

Black Cohosh: Menopause and PMS symptoms

• Known for its effectiveness in managing symptoms of menopause and PMS, especially hot flashes, black cohosh promotes estrogen balance. It can help to ease menstrual cramps and stabilize mood swings

Cortisol Regulation

Cortisol, known as the stress hormone, can cause sleep problems, weight gain, and anxiety when imbalanced.

Rhodiola Rosea: Adrenal Function and Stress Resiliency

• This adaptogen in Breakthrough helps manage cortisol by enhancing the body's stress resilience and regulating stress response neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. It supports adrenal function, preventing the overproduction of cortisol during prolonged stress. Additionally, Rhodiola reduces fatigue and boosts energy levels, further aiding in balanced cortisol regulation. This collective action helps maintain hormonal equilibrium, contributing to improved mental clarity and overall well-being.

Ashwagandha: Modulates Cortisol Levels

• Ashwagandha promotes calmness and reduces stress by helping to modulate cortisol levels. Its ability to enhance endurance and vitality also makes it beneficial for women leading active, demanding lives who may have physical or mental stress-induced cortisol spikes.

Thyroid Health

Thyroid hormones are crucial for metabolism and energy among many other functions.

Guggul: Hypothyroidism, Weakness and Fatigue

• For women experiencing hypothyroidism, Guggul can support thyroid function by *potentially* enhancing the conversion of T4 to the more active T3, regulating metabolism and energy levels. Studies have also shown that it may improve signs and symptoms associated with hypothyroidism, such as weakness, fatigue, and muscle aches.

Cordyceps: Cellular Energy and Efficiency

• Cordyceps boosts cellular energy production by increasing ATP levels, crucial for metabolism regulation by the thyroid. Its support for adrenal health helps moderate stress responses, benefiting thyroid function. Cordyceps also offers anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce thyroid gland inflammation and balance immune function, which is vital for managing autoimmune thyroid conditions. Additionally, its ability to enhance oxygen utilization improves overall cellular efficiency, including in the thyroid gland, making it a valuable supplement for thyroid health support.
• You can find cordyceps in NOVA’s award-winning Breakthrough drink mix.

It's important for individuals with thyroid conditions to consult with healthcare providers before starting any new supplement regimen.

Progesterone Support

Progesterone is essential for regulating menstruation and maintaining pregnancy.

Chasteberry (Vitex): Pituitary Gland, Luteinizing Hormone and Menstrual Relief

• Normalizes progesterone levels due to its action on the pituitary gland, the body's hormone control center. It influences the production of luteinizing hormone (LH), which plays a crucial role in the menstrual cycle by triggering the production of progesterone in the ovaries. By promoting the release of LH, chasteberry helps normalize progesterone levels, which is essential for regulating menstrual cycles, maintaining pregnancy, and alleviating symptoms of PMS and menopause. This adaptogenic herb could help our bodies naturally optimize female reproductive health, making it a natural option for women experiencing hormonal imbalances related to low progesterone.

Maca Root: Stabilizes Production and Mitigates Menopausal Symptoms

• Maca Root is an adaptogen well-regarded for its ability to enhance progesterone balance. Progesterone is particularly beneficial for women’s reproductive health. Maca doesn’t contain hormones itself but influences the endocrine system to stabilize hormone production, enhancing fertility and supporting pregnancy maintenance. Maca is also valued for mitigating menopausal symptoms by balancing progesterone levels, thus improving mood and boosting energy levels affected by hormonal changes.

Testosterone Balance

Balanced testosterone levels are important for muscle mass, bone density, and libido in women.

Ashwagandha: Energy and Muscle Strength

• Some studies have shown its ability to support testosterone levels, particularly beneficial for women in enhancing energy and muscle strength. It effectively reduces stress and lowers cortisol levels, which, if high, can adversely affect testosterone balance. By moderating stress hormones, Ashwagandha promotes healthier testosterone levels. This includes better muscle mass, strength, and enhanced recovery.

Shiitake: Synthesis and Healthy Hormonal Environment

• Shiitake mushrooms, featured in Breakthrough, play a vital role in supporting hormonal balance, including testosterone levels. These mushrooms enhance liver health, crucial for hormone regulation, and boost immune function, which helps maintain hormonal balance. They are rich in zinc, essential for testosterone synthesis and preventing its conversion to estrogen, and their anti-inflammatory properties help sustain a healthy hormonal environment.

So basically...

If right for you, adaptogens provide a gentle yet effective way to support and regulate hormonal health naturally, offering a holistic alternative to synthetic treatments. By integrating these powerful herbs and fungi into your daily regimen, you engage a comprehensive approach to wellness, ensuring your hormonal system functions smoothly in concert with your body’s natural rhythms.

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If you want to dive deeper into how adaptogens can enhance your hormonal health, begin by consulting a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herbal remedies. We recommend finding a functional wellness practitioner in your area and having a full blood hormonal panel done!

Always consult a medical professional before starting or stopping any supplemental routine or medication. This blog is not medical advice.