‘Harmonising Hormones Holistically' - IHCAN Conferences Webinar

​I often find that my clients have digestive issues with sulphur containing foods like the brassicas, when these are the very foods that they need because they have liver issues. What is going on here?

Great question! To understand the ‘mechanisms behind Sulphur intolerance/ sensitivity we may start by looking at the underlying causes which include: 

1. INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (IBD) For those with conditions like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, a sulphur-rich diet could exacerbate symptoms due to the inflammatory nature of these disease itself. IBD may compromise efficient digestion and so metabolism of these sulphur-containing foods into their active and useful metabolites. This worsens the intolerance and creates a deficiency of the beneficial sulphur- metabolites which only exacerbates the problem further g. Glutathione (comes from Cysteine- a sulphur-based amino acid), is itself a sulphur-containing antioxidant, which plays a crucial role in detoxification and antioxidant defence. Individuals with sulphur sensitivity may have dysfunctional glutathione metabolism, impairing their ability to neutralize toxins and oxidative stress, which results in increased inflammation & intolerance/ sensitivity.
2. HISTAMINE INTOLERANCE: Some individuals with sulphur sensitivity may also exhibit histamine intolerance. Histamine is involved in allergic and inflammatory responses, and disruptions in histamine metabolism can contribute to adverse reactions to sulphur-containing foods.
3. DYSFUNCTIONAL IMMUNITY/ AUTOIMMUNE CONDITION: This relates to individuals with conditions like Asthma and Allergic dispositions. The precise mechanisms underlying these dysfunctional immune reactions are not fully understood, but may involve histamine release and heightened inflammatory responses.

If none of the above conditions apply, then look into the DIET more, because ironically, like many sensitivities/ intolerances, sulphur sensitivity may also result from excess sulphur Intake (including over/ regular exposure to sulphite-based preservatives & food additives) – which overwhelms the metabolic pathways and results in an accumulation of sulphur in the body. In these cases, it’s worth trying to reduce the consumption of these foods for a short period, then re-introducing them slowly.

Another major contributing factor to Sulphur sensitivity is excessive/ prolonged exposure to herbicides, and whilst there is currently limited direct- evidence linking herbicides to Sulphur metabolism in humans, Glyphosate, (the active ingredient in many herbicides, AKA ‘Roundup’) has been shown to:

1. Hinder sulphur processing in plants by inhibiting the conversion of sulphur into sulphate, a form that the body can actually utilize and so metabolise effectively.
2. Exert toxic effects on the gut microbiome– suppressing certain enzymes, affecting sulphate transport & disrupting bacterial metabolism of sulphur itself, ultimately hampering Liver detoxification pathways, all of which impacts sulphur metabolism and contributes to sulphur sensitivity.
3. Bind to Manganese, thus reducing availability of this essential trace mineral in plants, creating a deficiency in humans, which disrupts cellular processing and enzyme activity, indirectly impacting sulphur metabolism and leading to increased sensitivity to sulphur-containing compounds.
4. Bind to Molybdenum – an essential co-factor, needed for the conversion of sulphur and sulphites into sulphate. In this way Glyphosate reduces the conversion of Sulphur and sulphates into usable (useful) forms, creating an accumulation of Sulphur and sulphates in the body, which creates a sulphur sensitivity/ intolerance.

What would be good support for totally decreased hormones post menopause with low cortisol and subclinical hypothyroidism?

I would start by requesting Testing and trying to ascertain the underlying cause of the Cortisol deficiency & Hypothyroidism as this would help rule out anything that would require specialised support like Addisonian Adrenal Insufficiency or the presence of Adenomas etc. This would also help make my recommendations more targeted and bespoke.

However, without knowing the exact cause, I would try to make sure that your ‘bases’ are well covered by:

1. Ensuring you have sufficient Vit D (preferably with K2), Magnesium & Omega Oil I highly recommend supplementing with these Nutrients as this would be the easiest and most efficient way to ensure optimal levels are maintained. All of these Nutrients have been shown to support the Thyroid and Adrenal Glands, as well as modulate inflammation and so support the body in the way that Oestrogen & Progesterone might have done before the Menopause. Because you mentioned Hypothyroidism, it would be worth looking into Iodine too, as this mineral has been shown to be very helpful in providing both sex and Thyroid Hormone support.

2. Looking after your Liver with B-vitamins & Antioxidants such as Lipoic Acid, Co-enzyme Q10, Zinc & Selenium (these nutrients are great at supporting Adrenal & Thyroid Function too.)

3. Taking care of your GIT by incorporating more , Fibre and pre–biotic -rich foods and if necessary, supplement with probiotics You may also want to consider Collagen & Hyaluronic Acid, as production of these essential, structural compounds decreases dramatically after the Menopause and they have been shown to support not only your joints, hair, skin & nails, but your whole GIT too.

4. Supporting your Kidneys by staying well hydrated with trace mineral-rich

5. Incorporating more phytoestrogen and phytoprogestin– rich foods into your Diet to maintain ongoing, gentle support of these Hormones.

6. Maintain muscle strength and integrity by incorporating Strength/ Weight Training into your exercise regime because the more muscle you have the easier it is to regulate your metabolism, blood sugar and of course weight. Muscle also helps to keep your bones dense and strong.

Interestingly, Grapefruit and Liquorice have been shown to increase production and reduce the breakdown of Cortisol. So, adding these basic foods to your Diet may help to naturally boost Cortisol.

Most importantly, make sure you’re getting enough, good quality rest & relaxation time. Sleep is one of the most powerful endocrine modulators, as it’s the time your body gets to ‘re-boot’ and so recharge and repair from all the days’ stressors.

Of course, all of the supplemental & Dietary recommendations need to be checked against any medications you may be taking as some may be contra-indicated.

So wild yam is not a good way forward to post menopause support for women not wanting to use hrt

Although Wild Yam does not naturally contain phytoprogestins or progesterone, it may still provide some Postmenopausal support because it contains Diosgenin, a phytoestrogenic compound that may mimic oestrogen’s effects, providing oestrogenic support when the body no longer produces enough and the Hormones are dysregulated. (as in postmenopause). Although there is limited evidence on this.

Traditionally, Wild yam has been used to alleviate inflammation, offering potential support and protection from conditions like Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis and even Cardiovascular Disease, which all pose increased risk postmenopause.

Research also suggests that Diosgenin may help lower blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes-induced kidney injury as well as vascular & nerve damage.

Finally, since there are a few preclinical studies showing Diosgenin’s promising effects on cancer, neuroprotection, atherosclerosis, asthma & bone health, it may still be a worthwhile consideration in the postmenopausal years.

What is the better way to use fenugreek for hormone balance? And the daily dosage what is? Thank you!

Recommended dosage of Fenugreek for Hormone balance varies depending on the form of preparation and individual needs, for example:

For general support: take 600mg -1200mg Fenugreek Seed Extract daily.

For management of postmenopausal symptoms: take 500 mg Fenugreek Seed Extract twice daily.

For painful menses (Dysmenorrhea): take 1800mg – 2700mg Fenugreek Seed Powder 3x daily for the first 3 days of a menstrual period, followed by 900mg 3x times daily thereafter.

Fenugreek Gel has also been shown to be especially helpful in the management of menopausal & postmenopausal vaginal dryness, when applied directly to the area.

Hi, in the hormone context, is there any advantage of matcha over green tea?

Great question as most sources just refer to ‘Matcha Green Tea’ and so do not differentiate between the two forms.

However, whilst both have been shown to support Hormone Balance, Matcha has a far  greater impact than Green Tea because Matcha is made up of finely ground powder of whole, green tea leaves, so when taking Matcha you get to consume the whole leaf, rather than just steeping it in water as you would do with Green Tea. In this way Matcha powder provides a far greater concentration (per serving) of all the beneficial, hormone- supporting compounds, like polyphenols & powerful antioxidant catechins (Epigallocatechin gallate -EGCG), Chlorophyll, Theanine, Vit A & Vit C, Potassium, Calcium & Magnesium, thus offering greater potential for more concentrated Hormone support.

Too busy listening as quite quick! Does Orley test e.g. DUTCH?

I advise Testing whenever possible and I highly recommend the DUTCH Test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones). This non-invasive, urine test offers a thorough assessment of Sex and Adrenal hormone levels as well as their metabolites. This test also analyses neurotransmitter metabolites and markers for neuroinflammation, oxidative stress & gut health, as well Melatonin levels, thus providing practitioners with a comprehensive insight into key hormones and their metabolites, as well as delivering additional information about the patients sleep patterns, nutritional status, gut and brain health, ultimately giving practitioners a clearer and more holistic understanding of their patients’ overall health & wellbeing.

I assume she’ll say at the end but which form of mg does she use?

My favourite form of Magnesium is Magnesium Bisglycinate as this has been shown to be one of the most bio-available forms, where minimum effective doses provide maximum support, especially for anyone with digestive sensitivities & issues, who may be taking Proton pump inhibitors or Antacids or has Inflammatory Bowel Disease, where the lining (absorption layer) is compromised / damaged. If there are no digestive issues or sensitivities then the other forms of Magnesium that I recommend are the organic Salts i.e. Mag citrate, malate, fumarate & taurate, gluconate etc. as these may also be easily absorbed, but these forms of magnesium are best when ‘drip-dosed’ (taken in small amounts, frequently) for gentle, yet optimal support.

Finally, if you have great digestion i.e. you can produce sufficient gastric acid/ juice to solubilise the magnesium and prefer to go with the least frequent dosing, then I recommend magnesium oxide, which happens to be the predominant form of magnesium that is found in in plants and so food.

Hello, I’m interested in Evening Primrose oil . Is it helpful? If yes, interested how. Thanks!

Because Evening Primrose Oil contains Omega 6 – Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) and phytoestrogenic compounds, it is well known for supporting hormone health in the following ways:

1. Regulating Prostaglandin Production: GLA is converted to prostaglandins which are hormone-like biochemical messengers involved in various physiological processes including inflammation, blood clotting, and hormone synthesis
2. Regulating Gene Expression: GLA may regulate genes involved in apoptosis (cell death) and cytokine production, affecting hormone balance and inflammatory responses.
3. Binding to PPAR Gamma: PPAR gamma is a receptor involved in gene regulation, which may influence the expression of genes related to hormone activity.
4. Stabilizing Hormone-related Symptoms which may provide relief for conditions like breast tenderness and alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes, menstrual pain, and skin concerns, associated with hormonal fluctuations.

However, Starflower/ Borage Oil typically contains 2-3x more GLA than Evening Primrose Oil, making it potentially more effective for addressing certain hormone-related issues like symptoms of PMS. Additionally, Starflower Oil isn’t oestrogenic and doesn’t increase all prostaglandin levels like Evening Primrose Oil does, making Starflower oil the preferred choice in women who suffer with menstrual cramps & pain or oestrogen sensitivity.

It’s also worth noting that Evening Primrose Oil may increase the risk of bruising and bleeding, especially in individuals with bleeding disorders. Avoid use if you have such conditions or on any blood-thinning medications.

Both Starflower & Evening primrose oil may lower the seizure threshold, thus posing a risk for individuals with epilepsy or other seizure disorders. Avoid their use in such cases.

Individuals with allergies to plants in the Onagraceae family, including evening primrose and starflower, should avoid these oils to prevent allergic reactions

I have a client who is peri-menopausal, has fibroids and is experiencing 6 day period followed by 2 days without and then a follow up bleed of 2-4 days – any suggestions to support.

Unfortunately, without knowing the severity (number & size) and chronicity of the Fibroids, which may also be complicated by the hormone instability experienced in peri-menopause, I can only make the following basic suggestions:

1. Consume a balanced diet rich in liver-loving, antioxidant & fibre-rich fruits & vegetables. Avoid processed foods, red-meat & dairy (high in saturated fats), refined carbohydrates and sugar – all of which are known to cause inflammation and so exacerbate symptoms and encourage fibroid growth. The bioflavonoid Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in Green Tea has been shown to help reduce the size and number of fibroids due to its ability to reduce inflammation and support the liver in the elimination of toxins from the body.
2. Exercise: Regular physical activity can help manage fibroids by improving circulation & reducing stress. Since Fat cells are known to make high amounts of oestrogen which in turn increases fibroid growth & development, losing weight may indeed (through diet & exercise)help prevent or reduce the size of fibroids.
3. Herbal Remedies: Though research on this is limited, Vitex Agnus Castus/ Chasteberry may be helpful for heavy menstrual bleeding, painful periods, and other symptoms associated with Fibroids.
4. Supplemental Support: Supplement your diet with extra Vitamin D3, Magnesium & Omega 3 – all of which have been shown to prevent and reduce the growth of fibroids whilst also helping to regulate insulin and prevent hormone fluctuations seen in peri-menopausal women.
5. Manage Stress & Support Sleep: Practice stress-relief techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to reduce cortisol levels, which may affect fibroid growth negatively.