Widely known for its role alongside progesterone in developing and maintaining female sexual and reproductive health, did you know there are different types of estrogen? Certain compounds and nutrients can in fact impact estrogen’s abilities. Let’s get into it.
Types
Estradiol: the most common type of estrogen in females during their reproductive years. Too much could result in osteoporosis, acne, and even depression. Love levels can lead to weight gain and heart disease.
Estriol: Levels of estriol rise during pregnancy, helping the uterus grow and prepare the body for delivery. Levels peak just before birth.
Estrone: present in the body post-menopause, estrone is a weaker form of estrogen and one that the body can convert to other forms of estrogen when necessary.
When estrogen levels are not balanced, women may experience irregular or no menstruation, mood swings, dry skin, hot flashes, fatigue, sleeping problems, and weight gain. The takeaway: balance is key for optimal female health.
Iodine
You may be surprised to learn that iodine can be helpful when estrogens are dysfunctional. While the ovaries use iodine to make estrogen, imbalanced levels of iodine can cause higher levels of estradiol and estrone and low levels of estriol, raising the risk of cancers in hormonally active tissue such as that in ovaries, the uterus, and breasts. Meanwhile, low thyroid function can cause complications with menstruation and fertility. This is when supplemental iodine may be necessary, as iodine is vital to thyroid function. Cheryl Myers of Vitamin Retailer informs “Iodine blends can be quite effective. Using potassium iodide with molecular iodine widens the spectrum of activity, and adding sodium iodide (the most soluble form of iodine) can increase overall absorption. Keep this in mind when creating your custom formula.
Grape Seed Extract
Grape seed extract has been proven to partially inhibit an enzyme called aromatase that converts androgens into estrogen. A study published in the journal Cancer Research claimed the valuable potential of grape seed as their research showed that it inhibited aromatase activity and reduced growth in certain breast cancer cells, the same cell growth inhibited by curcumin. Furthermore, grape seed extract may be useful in endometriosis, which does not always respond well to conventional therapy.
Private Label Potential
Perhaps you have a private label brand for women in mind. Once you have formulated the ultimate estrogen-promoting product for women, you will choose a reliable one-stop supplement manufacturer. Makers Nutrition welcomes custom formulas, and is eager to promote women’s health.
If you do not yet know how to go about your first ever women’s health supplement, no worries! We have manufactured many successful women’s multivitamins and supplements. Once you experience success with the first product, build your brand out with CoQ10, omega-3, multivitamins, and probiotics. They are all great options to consider when creating a line of women’s health vitamins and supplements.
Sources
- Myers, Cheryl. “Estrogen: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly.” Vitamin Retailer, 27 May 2021, pp. 42-43.
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/277177