Hormone Replacement Therapy

Best Supplements to Take with BHRT

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) offers a natural way to make sure your hormone levels are balanced, improving the way your body functions. In fact, balancing your hormones offers benefits like lowering your risk of heart disease, weight loss, and relieving joint and muscle pain. Of course, along with your unique BHRT cocktail, which is tailored to your hormone needs, you may also want to support your health with natural supplements. Here’s a closer look at some supplements that work well with BHRT and may help and enhance your results.

Supplement #1 – DHEA

A DHEA supplement is often recommended along with BHRT because it’s a natural hormone that’s been studied for its use in correcting hormonal problems, improving sexual function, and increasing bone density. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone naturally made by your body, and some of it is converted into major sex hormones – estrogen and testosterone. Unfortunately, as you age, DHEA levels decrease, which is why supplementation may prove useful.^1,2

Supplement #2 – Vitamin D

Vitamin D, sometimes called the sunshine vitamin, is essential for many reasons. It plays a role in keeping bones healthy, supports the immune system, and may protect against certain types of cancer. It’s especially, preventing osteoporosis, helping menopausal women with weight loss, and lowering the risk of heart disease.³

Supplement #3 – Diindolymethane (DIM)

DIM is an essential phytochemical that’s produced when you digest cruciferous veggies like cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli. It helps modulate your immune response system and may have anti-cancer effects. If you’re taking BHRT, some research shows that DIM can have positive effects of estrogen metabolism, minimizing the potential side effects of estrogen hormone replacement. It’s also useful for treating chronic breast pain in women and an enlarged prostate in men.⁴

Supplement #4 – Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a B vitamin that’s essential to your body, yet your body can’t produce it on its own. When used along with BHRT, this vitamin can help support bone health and help improve mood. B12 is also known for boosting energy since it plays a role in the body’s energy production. It’s been shown to have a positive effect on mental function and concentration and may even help treat sleep disorders and male infertility.⁵

Supplement #5 – Indole-3-carbinol (I3C)

I3C is formed from glucobrassicin, a substance that is found in veggies like cabbage, turnips, broccoli, cabbage, kale, and cauliflower. This dietary supplement is often used along with BHRT to help balance hormones, support estrogen metabolism, prevent certain types of cancer, and help treat the common symptoms of menopause. It may also be a useful weight loss aid.⁶

Supplement #6 – Primrose

Evening primrose is a plant that has a long history of medicinal use. Primrose oil supplements often prove helpful for patients taking BHRT, and these supplements are particularly useful for reducing hormonal breast pain that may occur in some women who are taking BHRT. Some studies have also discovered that evening primrose oil helps to reduce hot flashes as well, another benefit for menopausal women on BHRT. Other general health benefits of primrose supplements include improved heart health, reduced bone pain, and better skin health.^7,8

Supplement #7 – Melatonin

Another supplement that works well with BHRT is melatonin, a hormone that is found naturally in your body. This hormone is responsible for keeping your natural sleep cycle regulated, and it is used to help combat various sleep issues, such as insomnia. Multiple studies have found that melatonin supports improved sleep. It may also help reduce the symptoms of depression and increase levels of human growth hormone.^9,10

BHRT offers an excellent solution to hormonal imbalances, and the addition of all-natural supplements can improve your outcome and help alleviate any potential side effects. Talk to your provider today about what supplements may work well with your customized BHRT so you can enjoy the best possible results.

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