Bio Care Calm Complex

The menopause can be a challenging time for some women, but it doesn’t have to be. The products in our menopause hamper have been carefully selected so that they may help make your transition easier with minimal symptoms. ( **Legally we have to say may help NOT will help, or we will be in trouble with the ASA**) There are a few key points to consider -

1.Any hormonal issue is tied very closely with blood sugar control, so the first consideration is to make sure this is balanced. Therefore we have included Glucochrome capsules. This product contains chromium, cinnamon and Alpha lipoic acid, all of which have been shown to be supportive of healthy blood sugar levels. We also recommend limiting or excluding processed foods and sugar, while prioritising good quality protein and healthy fats. Not only will this help balance blood sugar levels, it is the basis of a diet that will nourish all systems of the body!

2.Managing Stress levels is among our top recommendations for helping to keep menopausal symptoms to a mental minimum. As the ovaries slow down and cease their production of oestrogen, the adrenal glands take over production. The adrenals make  stress hormones, so if suffering from stress, they busy themselves with this vital function rather than making oestrogen ( they don’t know that you’re stuck in a traffic jam or just had an argument with your spouse, they assume you need to run from a sabre tooth tiger!) With this in mind, we recommend stress relieving activities such as meditation ( download Insight Timer or Headspace to get you started) Meditation has been proven to get your body back into parasympathetic mode, which is the opposite to fight or flight mode. Emotional Freedom Technique ( EFT or Tapping) can be effective , this works by tapping on the same points used in acupuncture. We have included Megamag Perimo Plus Magnesium, as it contains magnesium, B vitamins and Vitamin C, which may help support adrenal function. It also contains Ashwaganda, rhodiola and Shatavari, which are adaptogenic herbs that may also  help support the adrenals.

We have also included Epsom salts bath salts , these contain magnesium, which we recommend using a cupful in a warm bath before bed to  help menopausal sleep issues ,( lavender essential oil  is also included to make this an even more relaxing experience)

3.Important, and not commonly addressed is supporting the liver. Oestrogen, once it has been used by the body, needs to be detoxified by the liver and excreted. If this does not work optimally, commonly either through genetic variation or the liver being overburdened, then the oestrogen gets recirculated into the body, which may be a factor in cancer development. We recommend eating a portion of  cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts on a daily basis, and including flaxseeds in the diet. We have included Female balance capsules as it includes a rich source of broccoli sprout extract.  

4.Lastly, we have given a lot of thought into the reduction of menopausal side effects in our selection of products. 

Hot Flashes and night sweats, two of the most well known side effects, may be helped by everything discussed so far. The addition of a sage supplement has been shown to be helpful. Sage is included in both megamag perio plus and Female Balance. Red clover is also included in both of these as it may also be beneficial in reduction of these symptoms.

Mood swings and weight gain , both may be helped greatly by balancing blood sugar levels, and supporting the adrenal glands,these have been discussed earlier.

Bone loss may be helped by making sure you take enough magnesium and vitamins D and K, as well as participating in weight bearing exercise, such as walking, running, dancing or skipping and lifting weights.

PLEASE NOTE- If you are taking medications or suffer from any health conditions, it is vitally important to seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist BEFORE considering taking any of these supplements. They can tell you if it is safe for you to take these supplements as some of the ingredients are not suitable to take alongside certain medications and can have serious consequences.

It is also important that you consider xenoestrogens, which are chemicals found in plastics, pesticides and household and beauty products, which mimic oestrogen and cause hormonal disruption.

Sleep

For consistent good quality sleep, it is the essential to set your circadian rhythm. The best way to do this is to start as soon as you get up in the morning by getting bright morning light into your eyes. Best is to go for a morning walk but just looking out the window or using  daylight bulbs are a second best. This tells your body to wake up through the ‘blue’ light waves the sun produces in the morning. In the evening the sun produces ‘red’ lightwaves which produces chemicals in the body to start winding down and get ready for bed. Electric lights prevent this process so using red/orange lamps may help. Screens such as the TV , phones and computers give off blue light so that the body is stimulated thinking it’s morning. We recommend no screens at least an hour or two before you want to sleep, or if you really must, install night shift or an app such as iFlux to limit the blue light. Blue blocking glasses can also be worn which can work well. 

The bedroom should be dark, we have included an eye mask to help block out all light. And the temperature should be cool.

A relaxing bedtime routine may be beneficial, we have included Epsom salts and lavender essential oil, a cupful of salts and 10 drops of lavender in a bath could be just the thing to help you relax and feel like dropping off, use a candle ( or red lamp) instead of electric light , to enhance the effect.

Our sleep pillows are filled with lavender and hops, the aroma of both should keep you relaxed may help prevent nighttime wake ups.

Our sleep supplement helps promote sleep as it contains the following ingredients-

Magnesium - needed for relaxation 

Vitamin B6, 12 and folate - needed to help the body be able to use magnesium, also needed to help the body convert tryptophan to melatonin

L Tryptophan - an amino acid which is a precursor to melatonin. Melatonin is made by the body when it starts to get dark, making you feel sleepy and enabling a good nights sleep. ( it is also involved in immunity as one of the body’s most powerful antioxidants)

Hops- a natural sedative, may help relieve anxiety and help sleep

L Theanine - from green tea increases a neurotransmitter called GABA, which promotes relaxation and feelings of calm , it also increases seratonin which is a precursor to melatonin. It is thought to improve sleep quality

Milk protein hydrolysate - May help relieve stress and promote sleep. 

We have added valerian teabags as they have been shown to be effective, especially when combined with hops in promoting good sleep.

Sweet dreams!

PLEASE NOTE- If you are taking medications or suffer from any health conditions, it is vitally important to seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist BEFORE considering taking any of these supplements. They can tell you if it is safe for you to take these supplements as some of the ingredients are not suitable to take alongside certain medications and can have serious consequences.