Wellness Mama: 294: Using Targeted Nutrition to Alleviate Hormone Related Issues With Dr. Chris Masterjohn

Podcast Notes Key Takeaways (& Supplements Mentioned) It might be a good idea to supplement with DAO during your menstrual cycle to reduce headachesDAO is an essential enzyme in the gut that helps clear away histamines. (which can cause headaches)Levels of DAO can decrease due to nutrient deficiencies (particularly vitamin B6, copper, and manganese).Molybdenum (~300-500 mcg) and high-dose vitamin B6  (~100 mg) supplementation seems to be effective at treating symptoms of morning sickness associated with pregnancy, as well as nausea/queasiness experienced during the menstrual cycleTryptophan is used to make serotonin, melatonin, and niacin. If you’re taking an estrogen-based birth control, know that estrogen increases the production of niacin from tryptophan, and in doing so, increases levels of quinolinic acid (a neurotoxic compound).~20 mg of supplemental vitamin B6 has been shown to normalize tryptophan metabolismTo reduce water retention during your menstrual cycle:Reduce salt intake and increase potassium intakeSupplement with magnesium (~200-300 mg) and vitamin B6 (~40 mg)Typically, pregnant females are put on a pre-natal vitamin to increase their folic acid levelsChris recommends “reinforcing” this by supplementing with methyl folateThere’s some data that shows supplemental choline during pregnancy and nursing, as well as during the first 4 years of a newborn’s life, results in many brain benefits: increases in audio-spatial memory, reduced instances of memory interference (AKA the memory lapse experienced when forgetting where you parked at a grocery store), and protection from age-related senility 1/3rd of females become biotin deficient during pregnancy. This can result in skin (i.e., dermatitis) and mood problems (i.e., depression)Eggs are packed with biotin, eat up! During the third trimester of pregnancy, it’s essential to supplement with vitamin D (until you reach a blood level of ~40 ng/L), and to make sure you’re getting the recommended daily allowance of calcium (1200-1300 mg/day)

Read the full notes @ podcastnotes.org



Subscribe to the Wellness Mama Podcast



Chris Masterjohn is one of those people you never want to stop talking to, so although he’s been on the podcast before, my list of questions for him might be longer than the first time! Chris Masterjohn holds a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Connecticut and his understanding of the intricate relationship …