HouseCall: How to Get More Sleep, Estrogen & Progesterone Supplements, High Cholesterol Help, Testing for Perimenopause, Improving REM Sleep

Welcome back to our weekend Cabral HouseCall shows!

This is where we answer our community’s wellness, weight loss, and anti-aging questions to help people get back on track!

Check out today’s questions:

Matt: Hi Dr Cabral, I’m constantly trying to improve my sleep but can rarely ever get more than 6 to 6 1/2 hours consistently. If I go to bed earlier, I wake up earlier ready to go. Right now I’m taking 2g of taurine, balanced zinc, 500mg magnesium, 100mg theanine, 50mg Apagenin and 3g of glycine. I have no problem falling asleep but consistently wake up around 3-4am. I recently added some Inositol to help get back to sleep but I can’t really remember the last time I went to sleep and woke up the next morning by my alarm clock. Just to note, I’m 45 with 3 kids that also like to pop in our room in the middle of the night. Any tips to help get that 7-8 hours I need?

Tricia: Hello Dr C! I’m 57 and I tested my estrogen and progesterone. I’m of course estrogen dominant. I started taking your progesterone support and gosh it is amazing! My sleep has gotten even better! My question is do you think I should take the estrogen supplement too to help balance the two? Are these usually lifetime supplements for post menopausal women? Thanks

Kevin: Just received my annual labs back for annual physical and total Cholesterol is 299, Triglycerides 70, HDL 105, LDL 180, ratio 3.8, and LDL Direct at 182. I have Hashimoto disease, candida for past couple of years and mycotoxins from mold exposure. I cant afford to move out of house so I’m still exposed. I had a functional doctor but can no longer afford the out of pocket expenses. I was on cholestramine powder along with binders but stopped doing them last year because not helping. I’m really worried about having stroke or heart attack. I don’t know where to start anymore and been told without moving nothings going to work. What do you recommend I do.? I plan on purchasing Proteolytic Enzymes with Nattokinase to hopefully reduce plaque. What tests do you think would be best for me?

Sienna: Hi Dr. Cabral – hoping you can help! In a country where FM labs aren’t an option + entering into mid-40’s, surrounded by Perimenopause “fear”. I have done your hormone HRA + apart from feeling like I get TRIGGERED a lot easier, I don’t have more of the common symptoms (ie night sweats). My cycle the last 2 months was slightly longer but don’t want to over think it. I am wondering if there are bloods that can help outline where we are in terms of our hormones (I know saliva is preferable)… I really want to support my hormones, and know you say we can do this naturally well into later life ie 60’s! I know estrogen declines + ED is common – would appreciate markers to look at, ranges + if your wife couldn’t test what you’d recommend for her 🙂 Thank you for ALL you do! Sienna

Rianna: Hi Dr. Cabral! Sleep it’s an area I am REALLY focused on supporting – we know when we are tired everything is harder 😉 & I am all about energy as I move towards my mid-40’s.. I track my sleep on Garmin + know you mention Deep Sleep (90 mins) + Rem Sleep (2+ hours) as ideals, but I am no where near there consistently. The only time I get quite close is during my detox. My HRV has improved considerably (almost doubled) since Jan(through substantially reducing alcohol intake + focusing on sleep hygiene). I average on 7 – 7.5 hours sleep, mostly right through or brief wake, + mostly feel great/rested. My REM sleep this morning was 0 minutes (??) – is that reall even possible? 80 mins deep, 6.5 hrs”light” – how much attention would you give it if you feel recharged? Tips? Thx for all you do!

Thank you for tuning into today’s Cabral HouseCall and be sure to check back tomorrow where we answer more of our community’s questions!