
Progesterone restores a sense of calm. For those balancing the responsibilities of home, work and family, progesterone helps you keep your cool. It acts on the gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) receptors in the brain. These are the receptors that sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medications and alcohol act on. Optimal progesterone levels help with:
1. clearing brain fog
2. allowing you to stay asleep, especially between 2 and 4 am.
3. building bone
4. strengthening libido
5. supporting elasticity in the skin
6. helping neural growth in the brain
7. preventing puffiness & bloating
What’s GABA all about?
GABA is the primary inhibitory transmitter in the brain. It settles the mind and protects our brain from overstimulation. If you worry a lot or experience anxiety you may be low. GABA comes from protein we eat. Progestrone does not cross the blood brain barrier, it will still have a positive effect because we have a lot of neurotransmitter receptors elsewhere in the body. Mood can improve when GABA reaches the cells in our liver and gut.
If you are deficient in GABA, you may experience a kind of physical anxiety that is difficult to shake. Muscles may tighten and your immune system is less able to do it’s job.
Promote Peace & Calm Naturally
Here are a 6 more ways you can bump up your GABA:
1, Theanine from green tea, matcha or the supplement.
2. Foods high in zinc and magnesium: liver, red meat, shellfish, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, halibut, spinach, and okra.
3. Chamomile tea: this has a bioflavonoid called Apigenin that binds to GABA receptors in the brain. It calms the nervous system.
4. Potassium rich foods: acorn squash, spinach, brussel sprouts and yogurt.
5. Ensure your serotonin levels are optimal: tryptophan in food or supplemental 5HTP support serotonin & enhance the effects of GABA.
6. St. John’s Wort and Ginkgo: both these herbs have different actions in the brain to increase uptake of GABA.
Ovulation is a Important
The birth control pill means you won’t get the surge of progesterone mid cycle and near the end of your cycle. Progesterone supports your brain, thyroid, bones and breast tissue. It also reduces inflammation, We produce far more of it than estrogen. It keeps estrogen from becoming dominant in both males and females which has several health risks. Progesterone is also an essential for building block for other hormones including cortisol and adrenaline. Men produce progesterone in their testes and use it for general health as well as sexual function.
Ovulation supports estrogen to promote muscle gain, insulin sensitivity and a healthy cardiovascular system. Missing out on ovulation is an unfortunate reality that many women experience. They aren’t told the full story of oral contraception. More and more women are saying no to synthetic hormones and the long list of side effects that accompany it.
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