Did you know that nutrient therapies – such as supplements and drip therapies – are widely used as adjuncts to help with fatigue, mood, and nutrient balance during menopause.

Nutritional support and IV therapies are widely used as adjuncts to help with fatigue, mood, and nutrient balance during menopause. Our clinic can tailor treatment plans to help cope with related discomforts, such as brain fog, weakened muscle function and bone health, low energy levels, and more. 

Nourishing the body with nutrients can potentially promote healthy positive effects, especially when the human body endures hormonal changes. This is why it’s not uncommon for us to prescribe oral supplementation and personalized IV therapy drips in Toronto  adjusting to menopause. 

Below, the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre has compiled a list of supplements for women navigating this midlife journey. 

Top 7 nutritional supplements to help manage menopause

1. 1. Calcium: The health of bones can weaken during menopause (due to lowered levels of estrogen), so it can become difficult to recover from injuries. Boosting your calcium intake can help reduce your risks for fractures, while helping to prevent osteoporosis. 
   2. Vitamin D: 50-80% of menopausal women have this deficiency; this may be due to a reduction in intestinal absorption, as well as the skin and kidneys having difficulties with producing the nutrient. Vitamin D is needed to regulate calcium levels, so this supplement could also support bone health, while helping with mood and energy.  
   3. B vitamins: Hormonal changes can negatively affect the absorption of B vitamins, boosting the risks for cognitive and cardiovascular dysfunctions. Taking B vitamins (i.e. vitamin B6, B-12, and folate) can potentially help prevent and improve cognition, while possibly fostering cardiovascular health. 
   4. Magnesium: If you find your muscle recovery is taking longer, regular magnesium intake may support your bone density. Also, it’s not uncommon for women in their midlife to have sleep issues; low magnesium levels can impact the circadian rhythm, so this mineral supplement could encourage sleep improvements.  
   5. Glutathione: “[During menopause], oxidative stress has been linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease and a greater frequency of vasomotor symptoms,” confirms a Journal of Mid-Life Health article. However, glutathione’s potent antioxidant effects can reduce oxidative stress. It may also help optimize liver detoxification, which can promote effective elimination of toxins. 
   6. Omega-3 fatty acids: In a study on women ages 40-55, omega-3 fatty acids were shown to improve symptoms linked to depression (which is common with menopause). Also, the female participants who were experiencing hot flashes before the study noted that their hot flashes surprisingly declined with their omega-3 intakes. 
   7. Vitamin C: Ascorbic acid supplements can offer protective effects against bone loss and it can help reduce inflammation by scavenging free radicals. Free radicals in the body tends to increase during menopause, which can impede cellular functions, cause joint pain, and weaken immune function. 

Some of the supplements above can be blended into intravenous therapy drips in our IV Lounge. So, should you get oral supplementation or a custom-made IV drip? There are vast differences between menopausal experiences, so it’s in your favor to consult with a functional medicine practitioner (i.e. a functional naturopathic doctor). 

Understanding nutrient absorption during menopause

For some women, menopausal changes can hinder nutrient absorption. IV therapy may be suitable for these cases, as the digestive system isn’t needed for administering drip therapies. 

Declining estrogen levels naturally change bodily functions, including how the digestive tract absorbs nutrients. Furthermore, sinking estrogen levels boost a hormone called hepcidin, which is responsible for regulating iron levels. When hepcidin is increased, the body can have difficulty managing iron absorption, encouraging the body to use up iron before you have a chance to replace it. Thus, key supplements can help support nutrient levels for optimizing bone health, energy production, mental clarity, and disease prevention. 

Taking oral supplements and getting vitamin IV therapy is a personal choice to make. To further understand your biological needs, a functional health provider can run lab tests (i.e. urine and blood tests) to scrutinize your current hormones and nutrient levels; then a treatment plan can be tailored, which can take your absorption rate into consideration. 

If you were to inquire about oral supplementation for menopause, we may introduce you to liposomal supplementation – this is a type of liquid that offers a rapid absorption of vitamins without swallowing tablets. And guess what – it’s possible to combine the use of oral vitamins with IV therapy! IV drip therapies promise your body with a full absorption of nutrients, so they’re beneficial as tools for ‘topping up’ vitamin levels, especially if you struggle with malabsorption. So, please let us know if you want a boost of custom vitamins in an IV drip.  Update your health regime now to manage chronic stress, fatigue, bone health, and more. 

Suggested reading: Sun: The Future of Autoimmune Therapies with Toronto IV Therapy and Functional Medicine

Personalized therapies for menopausal symptoms, healthy ageing, and more

At the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre, our clinicians can guide you towards optimal health outcomes. To support positive effects for healthy ageing, we offer an individualized approach to wellness that can inspire you to healthily thrive!

Treatment modalities from us can be mixed and matched so that you can source different tools for symptom relief. A wide range of therapeutic modalities are available, integrating conventional and naturopathic medicine with botanical remedies, functional testing, Chinese Medicine, psychotherapy, hormone optimization programs, and IV nutrient therapies. 

Our IV Lounge is inside our functional medicine clinic and it’s where we administer nutrient intramuscular injections and IV therapy treatments; these therapies are meant for adjunctive purposes only. When these are fused with a healthy lifestyle and additional personalized therapies, they can support improvements to energy levels and cellular functions. 

Our experienced team is adept at tailoring IV doses of vitamins with functional medicine principles. As we prescribe nutrients for biological needs only, your therapeutic doses are uniquely set just for you! Our clinical practice takes your health condition, medical history, and the key components of your individuality into consideration for diagnoses and prescriptions. Our vitamin drip menu includes a plethora of options, including NAD+ IV, vitamins A, C and E, essential minerals, various amino acids (including glutamic acid), alpha-lipoic acid, and more. 

Take note: Safety is a top priority in our IV Lounge! Each IV therapy appointment is carefully monitored by our naturopathic doctors, nurse practitioners and registered nurses. We look forward to meeting you for your initial appointment. 

You have the potential to take charge of your health! IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre can help you target brain fog, menstrual cramps, menopause, hangover recovery, and more. Call our IV Lounge today. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

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