[Lotus]

Hi Lotus!

I am thinking of changing the herbs I am taking during my luteal phase as I just ended my cleanse. I used to just take the remainders I had left from when I ordered breast actives because I wanted to finish it up. I've also been using a PC during my luteal phase but I was thinking of adding some herbs in to complement it. I read that Vitamin E stimulates our own progesterone production, so if I add it in together with PC would it be too much?
I was thinking of trying goat's rue and white peony also but I wasn't sure how to fit them in.
I think i've confused myself by overthinking and reading too much I can't fit the pieces together haha.. some advice would be sooo appreciated !!!

Hi skeeeee,

Good point and great question about vitamin E and progesterone, why not try focusing on the next 2 cycles balancing luteal first, then evaluate the results and adjust from there. Although you could also add these:

How Can You Naturally Stimulate Progesterone?

The supplement melatonin has some ability to do this. Some (not all studies) show that melatonin levels are higher during the latter half of the menstrual cycle (the luteal phase). The hormone T3 also helps with the production of progesterone – something to think about if you too are faced with what seems to be a widespread epidemic of low (hypo) thyroid. Many scientists are postulating that this is caused by radiation and environmental chemical exposure. Iodine used to be added to bread in Canada. It has been since been replaced by bromine (‘new car smell’ chemical), and linked to low thyroid.

Vitamins which may help increase progesterone include B6 and vitamin E. B6 has been shown to reduce blood levels of estrogen and to increase progesterone. Vitamin E works by enhancing absorption of progesterone. Helpful minerals include boron, zinc, and selenium. If you are a breast cancer patient with osteoporosis, know that by increasing levels of boron in the diet, blood levels of both estrogen and progesterone are raised. While this is good for bone density, doing this is contraindicated if you are dealing with estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. Zinc, on the other hand, is good, however it will lower both progesterone and estrogen levels and you need to be aware of this. In animal studies, it has been shown that selenium supplementation can increase progesterone. Keep in mind that natural selenium – i.e., that from eating one or two Brazil nuts daily – is better than taking supplemental selenium when you have cancer. One large Brazil nut contains approximately 200 mgs of selenium, magnesium too.

Skip the goats rue and peony for now, monitor any side effects during the next 2 luteal cycles, (remember, estrogen stores fat while progesterone burns it.!!!

http://helenpapas.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/the-hormone-puzzle-progesterone/


These vitamins don't nearly get as much focus on Testosterone, I'm listing it here again as a reference.

Testosterone, and how some vitamins affect it.

• Zinc-deficiency lowers testosterone levels, inhibits prolactin secretion (testosterone inhibiting hormone). Supplementing increases baseline levels. 28,29,30,31

• Magnesium- makes testosterone more biologically active in the body, raises free and total testosterone levels in men..25,26,27

• Carnitine Boosts dopamine, which is directly related to testosterone levels; May prevent testosterone decline after intense physical stress.21,22,23,24

• Folate Deficiency reduces circulating testosterone; Evidence suggests testosterone may regulate folate metabolism.1,2,3

• Vitamin B6 Regulates sex hormones; Vitamin B6 reduces prolactin which stimulates hypothalamus to increase testosterone; B6 also a cofactor for dopamine synthesis which influences testosterone levels.4,5,6,7

• Vitamin K Deficiency reduces testosterone production because the rate-limiting enzyme for testosterone synthesis (Cyp11a) is vitamin K dependent. 13,14,15

• Vitamin E Long term administration of some forms of vitamin E may reduce testosterone levels.16,17

• Vitamin C Studies suggest it protects prostate from testosterone induced tumors.18,19,20

• Magnesium Makes testosterone more biologically active in the body; Raises free and total testosterone levels in men.25,26,27

http://www.spectracell.com/media/uploaded/3/0e2676617_1385406470_392testosterone-wheel1113.pdf

http://info.spectracell.com/bid/88027/Nutrient-Correlation-Chart-on-Testosterone