Phoebe says: "How much time do you have….!

LVC1 - the fluctuation in hormone levels is innately stressful for the body and vitamin C is not only a potent antioxidant that helps mitigate the inflammatory impacts of stress hormones but also aids in the breakdown of cortisol through the liver. C is also a vital cofactor for collagen and elastic tissue synthesis which is something that naturally declines as we age and then increases in pace when oestrogen levels fall. The choice of LVC1 over LVC2 is also a link to the phytoestrogenic effects of soy as this is a soy phospholipid formula, which may also aid blood pressure regulation which is another potential risk factor post menopause that we are pre-empting by adding this in.

LLQ1 - One of the most prevalent cluster symptoms that women can experience are low energy, low mood, muscular fatigue and brain fog which is due to the systemic nature of oestrogen and progesterone. By supporting mitochondrial energy production with this wonderful liposomal CoQ10 you give someone their edge back as CoQ10 is one of the integral antioxidant elements right at the end of our cellular energy production pathway. This then also resolves muscular fatigue which supports a return of good mood as there is nothing worse than feeling out of control within your own body and not knowing how to resolve it when you’ve seemingly not changed anything else within your routine.

LLC1 - follows on beautifully from the above as supplemental carnosine is well evidenced for maintaining musculoskeletal function in a way similar to resistance training. The combination of carnosine and exercise then enhances this mechanism further. As one of the key health risks post menopause is a loss of bone mineral density, carnosine is an incredibly useful tool for preventing this as an issue. There is also research into its application for blood sugar/insulin sensitivity which can be negatively impacted by hormonal fluctuations due to their interpretation by the body as stressors. Many women can experience cravings and weight gain during the perimenopause and menopause and this is due to blood sugar interpretation issues + raised cortisol so if we can mitigate that potential issue mores the better.

LLM1 - magnesium is integral for myriad metabolic processes in the body and will contribute to the mechanisms described above but the specific application I was looking at here relates to mood stability and sleep quality. Progesterone is a natural sedative and as levels fall anxiety levels can rise whilst sleep efficiency then falls. Which in combination can cause real issues for many women. The liposomal encapsulation of magnesium bisglycinate in this formula means this therapeutic dose is shuttled swiftly to the nervous system and through anecdotal use with many clients is the difference between lying awake at night, or sleeping fitfully, and falling and then staying asleep. Multiple doses can be taken over the day to support mood as well, it is in no way a sedative and will be directed to whichever neurotransmitter pathway is required at the specific time of day."

Phoebe says: "There is actually no such thing, as the menopause is an ever evolving and slightly volatile transition that women will all experience individually. What we are looking to do when supplementing those going through the menopause is to support and modulate their systems so that those underlying undulations in hormone levels don’t then perturb their daily life. "

Phoebe says: "Absolutely yes. Liken this if you will to carrying a load of heavy shopping bags to your car in the pouring rain. You could very much do this on your own but the process will be arduous and potentially quite uncomfortable, you will get to your end goal unscathed eventually though. Or you could ask for assistance which allows you to split the load and hold an umbrella at the same time. So yes if someone has the opportunity to supplement then I wholeheartedly encourage doing so, but should someone not want to, or not have access to supplements then that is also OK. "

Phoebe says: "Before launching in here it is important to clarify that you can support oestrogen levels but natural interventions during the menopause will not be able to mimic a woman’s pre-menopausal production of oestrogen. This is fine though as we aren’t looking to have oestrogen levels sufficient to create a menstrual cycle, we just want enough to support brain function, cardiovascular health and bone density as examples. But it’s important to understand what we are actually talking about here. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a slightly different conversation. Dietary sources of phytoestrogens are a great way to nutritionally support oestrogen levels as their chemical structure is similar to oestrogen, their action isn’t as potent but they will gently mimic oestrogen activity in the body. Examples would be organic non-GMO soybeans (edamame), tofu & tempeh, freshly ground flaxseed & cold pressed flaxseed oil, & sesame seeds/tahini. Certain therapeutic herbs can also be of benefit. "