Mindful micronutrient supply for women

Mindful micronutrient intake for women

The female body achieves remarkable things every month and goes through demanding phases of change throughout a woman’s life – from puberty, through possible pregnancies, right up to the menopause. These are phases that can be challenging not only for the body but also for mental wellbeing. Given what the female body goes through every month at every stage, it is all the more important to address its specific needs and support it as best as possible. A key component of this can be a conscious approach to micronutrient intake. This has a crucial influence on hormonal balance and is heavily dependent on a healthy diet containing the right nutrients. Depending on the phase of hormonal change, certain nutrients are particularly important. We’d like to introduce you to three phases and look at which vitamins and micronutrients can be particularly helpful.

1. Menstruation

Menstruation is a monthly occurrence for every woman and brings with it quite a few ups and downs for the body and mood. Particularly uncomfortable abdominal pain can disrupt daily life. To help women achieve greater balance during this phase, yam has been a popular remedy for decades. This climbing plant from West Africa contains a particularly high proportion of diosgenin. Diosgenin is a so-called phytohormone, which is structurally similar to the sex hormone progesterone. In its country of origin, yam is therefore even referred to as the ‘women’s plant’.

2. The contraceptive pill

The pill (oral contraceptives), as it is commonly known, remains one of the most popular forms of contraception on the market. There are so-called combined pills, which contain the synthetic hormones oestrogen and progestogens. This is intended to prevent ovulation. However, the pill can affect not only ovulation but also the body’s micronutrient balance. Particular attention should be paid to B vitamins when taking the contraceptive pill. A balanced diet rich in vitamin B is advisable when using this method of contraception.

3. The menopause

Menopause refers to a woman’s very last menstrual period. This marks the end of her fertile years. A phase of natural hormonal changes and the cessation of oestrogen production begins. Even during this turbulent time, paying close attention to vitamin and mineral intake can help. Vitamin B6, for example, helps regulate hormonal activity and should therefore be present in sufficient quantities in the body. As oestrogen levels fall, bone density also decreases. It is therefore particularly important to ensure an adequate intake of vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc, as these help maintain normal bone health. Isoflavones can also be real treasures during times of change. These are found, for example, in soya and are similar in structure to the declining hormone oestrogen.

If you are aware of these phases of hormonal change, you can restore a degree of balance through a mindful intake of micronutrients. It also helps to be able to put the minor challenges of hormonal fluctuations into perspective and deal with them a little more calmly. 😊