So, hello everyone, this is my first post. I've enjoyed reading the forums for several months; I've learned so much from you folks and I have a situation that maybe you can help with.
I've been seeing a naturopath recently because my periods have been irregular since stopping the Pill 1.5 yrs ago. In addition to taking Vitex (chaste berry extract) the doc has asked me to eat eggs regularly for a while because she thinks a bit of cholesterol will be beneficial. If i remember rightly, she said cholesterol helps to form estrogen and progesterone in the body. good things for getting menstruation on track.
So... I was willing to try the eggs but now I'm just not feeling comfortable eating eggs. My diet is vegan, whole foods as much as possible, getting cleaner all the time and eating eggs just seems a step backwards to me. I'll bring this up with my doc, but in the meantime I thought I'd ask for input here.
Any ideas on vegan sources of cholesterol? Is there such a thing? Would low levels of cholesterol actually help a person?
Thanks.
Comments
ah, thanks for the advice! I'll add coconut oil and maca to my next grocery list and be more diligent with taking ground flax. That smoothie sounds good! My iron intake is fine I think and I'm not underweight/low body fat.
Someone mentioned to me taking specific seeds based on the lunar cycle to regulate hormones. Sunflower and sesame seeds when the moon is waning; flax and pumpkin seed when the moon is waxing. Seems curious.
The irregular period concerns me because my sense is that it's due to some imbalance in my body. It came regularly before the Pill and has been irregular post-pill. Pimples now also accompany my period and while that's not out of the ordinary for women in general it is new/odd for me. I'm not trying to conceive or anything, I just want everything to be functioning efficiently!
coconut oil is known to lower cholesterol, but if you do not have any cholesterol it will raise it. it does have a little bit in there. maca helped me out with my period as well. also keep track of your iron intake because usually those who do not get periods are deficient in iron. load up on spinach :)
i disagree with azul blue. some of my mother's friends are naturopaths and their training only begins as a typical medical doctor. as the courses progress the focus becomes more holistic. holistic medicine by nature involves diet, herbs, etc. i'm sure if you tell your doctor you are vegan and don't want to change that he/she can help you find some alternative.
On the subject of missed or irregular periods, has anyone ever taken don qui or vitex? I had been taking raw maca capsules and it restored my cycles but now have a problem taking it b/c it upsets my stomach. I heard that don qui and chasteberry vitex can help in similar ways to maca root. Does anyone have experience with either of those?