Dr. Sara Gottfried is a gem (well in my life and I am sure many others) that I discovered 8 years ago after going through three miscarriages and feeling lost in understanding my body.

Dr. Gottfried is a Harvard-graduated doctor with over twenty years of experience as a gynaecologist.  It was only after she began experiencing her own symptoms of hormonal imbalance that she started to look a little further and find out what more could be done for women that were feeling like she was…. and I could not be more grateful.

Her first book THE HORMONE CURE became my guide.

I would highlight sections about blood tests and why I should be having them and underline questions I had about my miscarriages and I would take it with me to my doctor’s appointments.

Her book gave me the confidence to ask questions I would never of known to ask and an understanding of why and how my body felt the way it did.

Questions you might also have are:  Should I take hormones during perimenopause or menopause? If yes, what kind? Are there nonprescription alternatives that help with symptoms like mood swings and hot flushes?

Dr. Sara uses a holistic approach in restoring hormonal balance.  She follows a 3-step protocol starting with
1) Food & lifestyle changes, 2)Herbal therapies and lastly 3)Hormone replacements (bioidentical).

Balancing your hormones to reset your weight and slow down the aging process are topics discussed in her latest books Younger and The Hormone Reset Diet.  When you understand your hormones, you can finally  understand why you can’t seem to get rid of those extra pounds or why you suffer from anxiety or exhaustion that never ends.  Most of the health issues that women face can be addressed with natural protocols that include eating the right foods for your body, getting more sleep, and taking the right supplements.

Dr. Gottfried offers a great online questionnaire that you can use to help you understand your own hormonal balances – https://www.saragottfriedmd.com

EAT, MOVE, THINK & SUPPLEMENT is her guide and here are some wellness tips I have picked up from her along the way:

COLLAGEN –
Adding a collagen powder into your diet lowers blood pressure, improves bone density, skin, hair and nails and is rich in antioxidants.  Dr. Gottfried loves to add collagen to her morning latte, I have tried this and it’s delicious.

Recipe:  1 cup of your favourite filtered coffee, non-dairy/dairy milk option and 2 spoons of collagen powder
Method: Whip it in a blender and it tastes just like a frothy latte and has 16 or more grams of protein to keep you fuller for longer

BONE BROTH –
Is rich in gelatin, essential amino acids such a glycine, proline and glutamine, vitamins and minerals.  It is known to boost immunity, balance hormones, create a healthy gut and boost our collagen.

My favourite chicken broth recipe  

MACA –
Maca has shown to increase your estrogen levels and reverse anxiety, depression and low sex drive.  Maca is a medicinal root and considered one of the world’s superfoods.  It is a powerful energy, mood and stamina booster and aids in balancing of hormone levels in the body

A great Maca smoothie recipe

VITAMIN C –
Take vitamin C, approximately 1,000mg per day.

FISH OIL –
Consider a high-quality fish oil supplement of 2,000mg per day

BRASIL NUTS –
Eat brazil nuts, they are full of magnesium and provide 100% of your daily allowance of selenium, which you need to keep your thyroid happy.  With a healthy fat content, brazil nuts help keep you full and assist your body in warding off toxins.  You only need 5-6 nuts per day.

SHOP THESE WELLNESS TIPS

I am so excited that Dr. Gottfried will be in South Africa for the first time presenting three all-day seminars on Managing Women’s Health across the lifespan: from preconception to menopause and discussing evidence-based natural approaches to women’s health.  The seminar is ideal for all healthcare providers who care for women of any age.

25th October – Durban
27th October – Cape Town
28th October – Johannesburg

If you would like to find out more information you can visit http://www.amipro.co.za/promotionsModule/Womens_health