Adequate nutrition is at the foundation of a healthy cycle.
Prolonged nutrient deficiency can lead to hormonal imbalance and impact the menstrual cycle.
Sustained hormonal imbalance has been shown to contribute to disease like infertility and diabetes. Adequate nutrition is an important part of holistic preventative care, himprove immediate and long term health.
Understanding nutrition for hormone health
Why people with a menstrual cycle need different nutrients than those without:
The female cycle involves multiple hormonal fluctuations throughout the month. During the first phase of the cycle, estrogen is the more dominant hormone taking the body to ovulation. During the second phase of the cycle, estrogen levels drop, and progesterone becomes more dominant until the next period. These hormones, along with a few other key sex hormones, are what help the female body go through key functions during cycle like the growth of follicles, ovulation, and the shedding of the uterine lining, etc. For example, DB2 contains more Vitamin D because it helps with mood stabilization which can be impacted by the higher levels of progesterone during phase two of the cycle.
Due to the hormone fluctuations that occur across the menstrual cycle, proper hormone production (producing the right amount) and metabolism (eliminating excess) is critical for proper cycle function like regularity, and reducing negative symptoms. Specific nutrients in DailyBasis like B-vitamins have been shown to help with production and metabolism.
The body needs additional nutrients such as iron to replenish from blood and tissue loss that occurs during menstruation. For example, DB1 contains more Iron than DB2 to help the body rebuild from menstruation.
Why supplementation is often necessary:
Today’s crops contain much lower levels of essential nutrients such as Calcium, Iron, Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, Magnesium, and Zinc because of the deteriorating quality of our crop soil driven by modern farming practices and loss of nutrients during food transportation.
Highly processed foods, medications, and other environmental toxins limit the bodies ability to absorb nutrients from our food. This is why in DailyBasis we source the most bioavailable nutrient forms.
Hormones and your cycle
Hormones are tiny chemical messengers that help the body regulate functions like metabolism, growth & development, mood, reproduction, and more. They are made and secreted from glands, organs, and tissues in the body. Together they form what is called the Endocrine system.
The menstrual cycle
A normal female hormonal cycle lasts between 28-35 days and is driven by five key hormones: estrogen, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone. Fluctuations of these hormones drive key cycle events like ovulation and thickening of the endometrium in the uterus. These events are what make pregnancy possible. These hormones also influence how people feel physically and emotionally throughout the cycle.
The Follicular Phase
Common phase-related changes:
Energy ↑
Focus & Creativity ↑
Sexual Drive & Desire ↑
Social Connection & Desire ↑
Appetite & Calorie Need ↓
Insulin Resistance ↓
During the follicular phase, typically spanning 14 days, an egg is matured in preparation for ovulation.
Inside the ovaries are small follicles, each containing an immature egg. A rise in FSH levels marks the beginning of this stage, triggering the maturation of several follicles. Though multiple follicles begin growing, one matures more rapidly within a cycle. This dominant follicle releases estrogen, halting FSH production. As FSH levels drop, the other follicles halt their growth and are reabsorbed by the body.
Ovulation
Common phase-related changes:
Energy ↑
Focus & Creativity ↑
Sexual Drive & Desire ↑
Social Connection & Desire ↑
Appetite & Calorie Need ↓
Insulin Resistance ↓
During ovulation, the mature egg is released from the ovarian follicle and moves into the fallopian tube, where it can be fertilized by sperm. This short phase is the only time during the cycle where pregnancy can occur.
Just before ovulation, estrogen levels continue to rise, prompting the release of LH. Within about 36 hours, LH peaks, triggering ovulation. During ovulation, the dominant follicle bursts, releasing the mature egg. The egg then travels through the fallopian tube, a narrow passage connecting the ovaries to the uterus, where it waits for potential fertilization by sperm.
At this time, all hormones, besides progesterone are at an all time high which impacts how they may feel. For example, estrogen boosts serotonin, a brain chemical that enhances mood and energy levels.
The Luteal Phase
Common phase-related changes:
Energy ↓
Focus & Creativity ↓
Sexual Drive & Desire ↓
Social Connection & Desire ↓
Appetite & Calorie Need ↑
Insulin Resistance ↑
During this 7-14-day stage, the ovary releases hormones to prepare the uterus for potential pregnancy. After ovulation, the ruptured follicle transforms into a temporary structure called the corpus luteum. It's main job is to release progesterone, which thickens the uterine wall, creating a welcoming environment for a potential fertilized egg. If fertilization happens, the egg attaches to the uterine wall. Otherwise, both the egg and corpus luteum gradually dissolve into the uterine lining.
During the luteal phase, many women experience unwanted symptoms and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Menstruation
Common phase-related changes:
Energy ↓
Focus & Creativity ↓
Sexual Drive & Desire ↓
Social Connection & Desire ↓
Appetite & Calorie Need ↑
Insulin Resistance ↑
Menstruation happens when the uterus sheds its lining through the vagina, typically lasting 3 to 5 days. Most people know this as the period. The reason why it sheds via blood, is because the uterine lining includes blood vessels and tissue debris.
During menstruation, progesterone levels slowly drop reducing any negative symptoms that may be felt due to high progesterone levels.
The menstrual cycle is often referred to as the fifth vital sign.
The menstrual cycle can serve as a tool to understand functions in the body like healthy hormone balance. This is similar to how blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and respiration are indicators of health.
DailyBasis is formulated to support your cycle
DB1 is designed to replenish the nutrients needed at the end of menstruation, supporting the body as it prepares for ovulation during the follicular phase. The slow rise in estrogen during this phase is often felt through increased energy levels, heightened creativity and increased focus.
DB1 includes Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, Bisglycinate and B-Vitamins to support the body in replenishing critical nutrients after menstruation. DailyBasis also provides Iodine, Selenium and Molybdenum to support healthy thyroid function which is commonly less efficient during this phase.
The body commonly experiences heightened energy with the estrogen peak during the later part of this phase. DB1 includes ingredients like Thiamine, Niacin, CoQ10, and Riboflavin to support the efficiency of the body's mitochondria (energy factories).
The development of ovarian follicles occurs leading to ovulation. DB1 includes ingredients like Lutein, and Arginine that support healthy circulation and blood flow that are critical for adequate follicle development.
During this phase, delicate reproductive tissue can be a common target of oxidative stress (natural forms of stress from the body and the environment). DB1 includes phytonutrients like the antioxidants Vitamin C and Vitamin E to help protect against cellular stress.
DB2 is designed to support the body through the significant drop in estrogen and steady rise in progesterone during this phase, and help mitigate associted negative symptoms (PMS). Women often feel the effects of this hormonal fluctuation more than in the follicular phase because of the increase in body temperature (also known as Basal Metabolic Rate/BMR) caused by the rise in progesterone. Associated symptoms are fatigue, anxiety, bloating, cramps, breast tenderness and increased appetite.
Insulin resistance (the inability to properly process carbohydrates) increases during this phase of the cycle. DB2 includes a blend of prebiotic fiber, tissue-supportive botanicals, and some protein and fats to help restore glycemic balance and reduce blood sugar spikes. These are both critical for optimal hormonal balance and total body health.
During this phase, the hormonal shift to progesterone contributes to PMS symptoms often felt during this phase like anxiety, mood swings, and lack of focus. Mood hormones like serotinin, dopamine and GABA often dip when progesterone levels rise, contributing to these symptoms. DB2 includes Lysine, Folate, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12 which help the body regulate the production of these critical mood hormones.
DB2 provides a blend of powerful antioxidants including Curcuma, Ginger and Quercetin, that help regulate the body's inflammatory response and increase blood flow to help relive symptoms associated with inflammation during this phase. These ingredients are also powerful in increasing prostaglandin production, which is a chemical made and released by cells that help the body respond to situations like an injury, a stressful situation, or a virus.
The diverse spectrum of botanical and phytonutrients in DB2 protect the immune system by increasing Cytokine Release, which is a signal the body sends out when it detects something harmful like a virus or bacteria. Cytokines communicate with the rest of the body to tell the immune system to kick into gear.
When excess hormones, specifically estrogen, are not properly metabolized and remain in the body they can lead to unwanted symptoms like breast tenderness, digestive issues, uterine discomfort, and headaches. Over long periods of time, excess hormones can lead to greater health issues like increased risk of certain types of cancer. DB2 contains botanicals like Curcuma which help support the body's natural systems for detoxification and elimination.
The hormonal fluctuations during this phase may effect the gut, leading to gut- brain inflammation, increased cravings, irritability, and digestive discomfort. DB2 includes a blend of pre and probiotics that help to rebalance the gut microbiome.