Introducing MPowder Mood-Food

As we prepare to launch our first encapsulated powdered formula, Mood-Food, we sat down with MPowder’s resident naturopath, herbalist and lifestyle medicine practitioner, Dr Vera Martins to ask the questions we know will be front of mind for you!

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Can this be taken alongside our multi-award winning foundational blends, Peri-Boost and Meno-Boost?

Mood-Food can be taken alongside our Peri-boost blend. It does have some of the same core ingredients as Meno-Boost, but it can also be considered on an individual basis if you’ve been taking Meno-Boost for 3+ months and life is feeling hard. Simply book time for a free 1-1 call with us first here.

How do I know if I need this as well as your foundational blends?

If you have been taking our foundational blends for more than 3 months and are still experiencing symptoms such as brain fog, anxiety, poor sleep and fatigue, Mood-Food may be what you need. This formulation was designed to provide an additional boost to the most persistent symptoms we see in our community across this life stage.

Equally, you may choose to try Mood-Food on its own first, as these cluster symptoms are often early signs of perimenopause.

I thought your foundational blends delivered everything I needed. Why has Mood-Food been developed now?

We’re very proud to be a brand based on insight and community. And, over the last two years our tracking studies have highlighted the persistent nature of these cluster symptoms for many in our community. Whilst we see a downward trajectory of symptom severity, sometimes life events mean we need an additional boost to keep us feeling balanced. In addition, many of us will notice changes in mood, brain fog and sleep disturbances ‘first’ and want to tackle these symptoms first too.

Is it safe to take Mood-Food if I have a history of hormone sensitive cancer?

All the blends in our range harness wholefoods, herbs and botanicals as well as vitamins and minerals, which means isoflavones are present. Isoflavones act as phytoestrogens by mimicking natural estrogens in the body. Research on the role of phytoestrogens in estrogen-dependent cancers including some types of breast cancer is inconclusive. So, although consumption of soy foods (which contain isoflavones) are considered healthy and safe, Peri-Boost contains higher concentrations of soya isoflavones than food. Meno-Boost contains Red Clover extract at a therapeutic but low dosage level. Red Clover also contains isoflavones. The medical guidance around the inclusion of isoflavones in the diet for women with a history of some cancers is mixed. Without knowing the detail of your story, our advice would be not to take our foundational blends, Peri-Boost and Meno-Boost. Mood-Food contains ingredients with no known contraindications with hormone sensitive cancers. However, your health is our priority. Please ensure you do your own research and talk to your healthcare provider before introducing Mood Food into your routine.

What time of day should I take it?

We recommend that you take Mood-Food in the morning, so you can benefit from its anxiolytic as well as cognition, mood and energy-boosting properties throughout the day. Don’t worry about sleep! The adaptogenic qualities of this formula means it will also support your sleep at night time.

I hate tablets/pills! How should I take this?

We’ve got you! You can easily open the capsules and dilute the powder content in a small amount of water. But please note that due to the presence of turmeric mean it may stain, so make sure you do it over the sink!

What research supports these ingredients?

We selected these traditional medicinal herbs for the body of research that supports them as well as my experience in-field with clients in clinic. Too many papers to mention! - but you can find links to all of them at the base of this interview!

When should I see results?

Everyone is different but you should see results after 1 month if you take the formula daily. However, as with any supplement, diet or lifestyle change, for optimal results we advise sticking to this protocol for a minimum of 3 months.

Why does Mood-Food work?!

Mood-Food works because we have selected key botanicals that have been traditionally used for hundreds of years but also, whose health benefits have also been backed up by science. Dosages have been carefully selected based on clinical trials data, to ensure both efficacy and safety.

As with all our blends, this clever formula also relies on the synergy of the herbs we select. Together, they work in harmony to deliver a result that supports the body and mind.

Finally, we also include a unique vitamin and mineral complex, proven to support cognitive and psychological function, the nervous system and to improve tiredness and fatigue.

What is your favourite ingredient?

My favourite ingredient is Ashwagandha and that’s why you’ll also find it in our Meno-Boost blend. However, I also love Bacopa, due to its ability to bring an extra boost to our cognitive function and memory, something so many of us need in midlife.

Why did you choose these 3 symptoms to focus on?

Because we know from our community, as well as research into the most persistent menopause symptoms, that these three often start in early perimenopause and can extend beyond menopause with significant impact on quality of life. These cluster symptoms are critical to address because they also have the potential to impact our long-term health too.

Why are sleep disturbance, shifts in mood and brain fog symptoms of menopause? What causes them?

These symptoms are triggered by the effects of changing hormone levels in our brains.

In perimenopause, the first hormone to drop is usually progesterone while oestrogen largely fluctuates. Testosterone also starts to drop. Progesterone modulates the GABA system in our brain - so, a decrease in progesterone can lead to irritability, mood swings and sleep disturbance. Poor sleep in itself will then impact on the brain’s ability to function optimally as well as on energy levels. It’s why we call them “Cluster symptoms”; they tend to impact and influence each other. We also know that fluctuations and an overall decrease in oestrogen will have a further impact, because oestrogen receptors are widely distributed in the brain and can also modulate neuroprotective pathways.

Are there any contraindications we should be aware of if we have thyroid issues or are on beta blockers/blood thinners?

As with any of the products in our range, you should always consult your doctor if you have an underlying health condition or are on medication. Ashwagandha may be contraindicated in cases of hyperthyroidism. Turmeric may decrease the effects of Talinolol (a beta blocker); because turmeric might slow blood clotting and lower blood sugar levels, it can interact with blood thinners and medications for diabetes.

And, although tumeric’s properties are very helpful in supporting your body after cancer and in its prevention, turmeric is an antioxidant and there is some concern that antioxidants might decrease the effects of medications used for cancer treatment (such as antitumor antibiotics or Topoisomerase I inhibitors). So, if you are taking medications for cancer, check with your healthcare provider before taking turmeric.

Bacopa Monnieri can potentially interact with Fluoxetine, an antidepressant. Bacopa may also interact with certain medications for Alzheimer's disease (Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors).

CLINICAL REFERENCES

Bacopa

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23281132/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18611150/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33692683/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27803728/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11498727/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12093601/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23320031/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18683852/

Curcumin

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27723543/