Which supplements are both safe and effective?

Once you have decided to manage your Menopause symptoms using the natural approach, the next hurdle is working out how you do that. We hear this all the time from members of my Midlife Refuel Club.  The tendency is for women to advise one another or ask Dr Google, often giving random conflicting advice which isn't science-based, resulting in frustration and desperation with no end in sight.

Not All Natural Supplements Are The Same

This week we are focusing on choosing Supplements that are likely to help you overcome your menopause symptoms. Finding the right supplements for your symptom set is key to a successful recovery journey. However, choosing which supplements to take isn't as simple as it seems. Research shows that many of the beautifully packaged supplements you see in the stores often do not work as they promise, because very often they don’t contain what it says on the label. In some instances, these supplements are not formulated with the most active forms of nutrients or use herbs and botanical ingredients that are not as pure, or in the dosages they claim.

A few years back, I was asked to recommend a product that contained 39 milligrams of isoflavones, a naturally occurring oestrogen. As I looked for the research to support it, an independent analysis included forty isoflavone-rich supplements. The results revealed that only two of the forty supplements contained what they said on the label. And the product I was researching only contained 1 milligram of isoflavones. At first, I was utterly shocked when I read the results. Then I became angry. To think all these women who have good intentions to help themselves end up duped by companies producing products that are supposed to help them.

Natural Supplements That Have Been Through Clinical Trials to Manage Your Menopause Symptoms

We only recommend supplements and Licensed Herbal Medicines (THRs) that are standardised and science-based and, where possible, have been through properly conducted clinical trials. When investing in supplements you need to be reassured that they have been shown to be both safe and effective. All our recommendations are based on medical research, which is very important. Think about it; everything you swallow influences what actually goes on in the body. Just as we need to be careful about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) 's side effects, we also need to be cognizant and mindful of the supplements and herbs we take.

Maintain Realistic Expectations When Managing Your Menopause

Getting through menopause is not about taking a "magic" pill. We can't emphasise that enough. Just swallowing a tablet isn't going to give you a "quick fix" and make you better. First, you must realise that many things are going on in your body at this stage. You must first meet your needs to get back into good nutritional shape.

Getting back into good Nutritional Shape

We like to describe our Natural Menopause Solution as a pie with different sections. You need to taste each piece to get yourself back into good nutritional shape. If you would like to learn more about my programs, join our live sessions, and learn what is going on in your body, including the relationship between our diet and hormone health. Many women have nutritional deficiencies at this life stage which are essential to correct in order to stand a chance of feeling well. Plus, we explain how to encourage your brain to think you have normal circulating oestrogen by implementing Mother Nature's Naturally Occurring Oestrogens during perimenopause, menopause and even post menopause. These naturally occurring oestrogens help us future-proof ourselves from dementia, osteoporosis and heart disease in the future.

Finding the Science-Based Information for your Journey through Menopause

Now that you are taking action, where do you find the right information? For those who want to self-help, you can have a few options. You can consult 'Dr Google', which is notoriously unreliable. Or you can go to my website and read my Weekly Wisdoms, sign up for newsletters or join our Midlife Refuel Club

Our Natural Menopause Program provides you with all the materials to get your symptoms under control for those who struggle and need a hands-on, step-by-step approach.  We help you to design a tailor-made programme to help you to overcome your particular symptoms. Plus, you will receive full support from me, nutritionists and our support team, the weekly live sessions with me reviewing your progress, forums and a tailored programme that meets your individual needs.

There are many ways you can get help. It would be best if you decided which approach works best for you, your budget and your lifestyle.

The Natural Menopause Recap:

• Remember to do the research and do not depend on the advice of others.
• Make sure whatever you do is based on science and not social media.
• When taking supplements, only use those that have proper clinical trials. You can learn more about the supplements I recommend by going to my shop.
• Have realistic expectations - there is no "magic pill" to make your symptoms disappear. You will need to develop an entire programme focusing on every part of your journey. To learn more, come to my virtual class.
• Decide what path to take, whether self-help, managed self-help, or a hands-on approach - ensure that the program features science-based information.
• For more information on my free offerings, go to maryonstewart.com or register for our FREE Midlife Refuel Club. https://maryonstewart.com/midlife-refuel.