(by Rachel Bartholomew - Nutri Advanced)
Millions of women in the UK regularly take oestrogen-containing medications such as the contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The contraceptive pill can be an effective way to avoid unwanted pregnancies, whilst HRT is used by women later in life to minimise uncomfortable symptoms associated with the menopause.
Whilst these medications are a really useful support for many, it’s important to understand that they can have negative effects on many essential nutrients too.
When nutrients start to become imbalanced, the knock-on health effects can be widespread, so it’s important to understand which ones you are most at risk of so you can take steps to bring them back into balance. In this article, we take a closer look at some of the nutrients that may be affected by oestrogen-containing medications such as the contraceptive pill or HRT and what you can do about this. Nutrients commonly depleted by oestrogen-containing medicines: • Iodine – Many of the common brands of contraceptive pill and HRT contain a synthetic form of oestrogen such as estradiol or ethinyl estradiol, which may impact cellular ability for iodine uptake. Iodine is an important mineral for fertility, is needed by the body to make thyroid hormones, is essential for immune function, for breast and prostate health and supports the ability of the liver to detoxify harmful substances such as mercury, fluoride and bromide. • Magnesium – An essential mineral which is commonly lacking in typical Western diets, used up in high amounts during fast-paced busy lifestyles and to add insult to injury may be depleted by oestrogen-containing medications. Magnesium is involved in over 300 metabolic pathways in the body so low levels can have widespread effects. Magnesium deficiency is commonly associated with chronic pain, cramps, spasms, depression, anxiety, insomnia and high blood pressure. • Manganese – Oral contraceptives may interfere with the absorption of manganese; an essential mineral for proper enzyme functioning, nutrient absorption, wound healing, antioxidant function and bone development. • Zinc – Another essential mineral which may be depleted by oestrogen-containing medications; low zinc is associated with weight gain, hypothyroidism, chronic diarrhoea, low immune function and lack of sex drive. • B complex vitamins & folate – Both HRT and oestrogen-containing oral contraceptives may affect levels of the complex of B vitamins and folate. There are many symptoms associated with B complex vitamin deficiency from fatigue and depression to headaches, nausea, numbness and even weight gain. • Vitamin C – This water-soluble nutrient may be depleted by HRT and the contraceptive pill. Vitamin C is important for the immune system, for collagen formation, is a powerful antioxidant and also helps the body to utilise iron. (Photos: www.hormonehealth.co.uk; www.news-medical.net)
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