Science Corner 13 | Supporting Women Through Every Phase: Dr. Natalie Crawford’s Holistic Supplement Framework
Women's health deserves better than one-stage-fits-all solutions. Your body changes, your needs evolve, and your health strategy should evolve with you.
Dr. Natalie Crawford, a leading reproductive endocrinologist, is SuppCo’s new Expert for Women’s Hormones and Fertility. She has developed evidence-based protocols that meet women exactly where they are, no matter what phase of life they are navigating.
The Foundation: Three Non-Negotiable Supplements
Before diving into phase-specific strategies, Dr. Crawford identifies three cornerstone supplements that support women across all life stages:
Omega-3 fatty acids provide the foundation for hormone balance, mood stability, and inflammation control. Your brain and reproductive system depend on these essential fats to function optimally
Vitamin D3 acts as a hormone itself, supporting immune function, mood regulation, and reproductive health. Most women are deficient without knowing it
Folic acid* powers cellular repair and reproductive function, not just during pregnancy, but throughout your entire reproductive lifespan
*Dr. Crawford’s protocols specifically focus on Folic acid and not other versions such as methylated folate. To learn more about Dr. Crawford’s perspective on Folic acid vs methylated folate, check out the note at the bottom of her Women's Essential Hormone Support protocol. If you have a known MTHFR variant or other concerns, please consult your healthcare provider.
These three create the baseline for everything else you build upon.
Strategic Support for Your Menstrual Years
Your menstrual cycle is not something to simply get through, it's a reflection of your overall health and a window into your body’s communication. Supporting it thoughtfully can improve how you feel throughout the month. Dr. Crawford recommends gentle, targeted interventions to support your cycle from the inside out:
Magnesium glycinate helps ease cramping, bloating, and mood shifts by calming the nervous system and supporting hormonal balance during the luteal phase. This isn't about masking symptoms, it's about addressing the root cause of discomfort.
Vitamin C contributes to hormone synthesis and plays a role in supporting the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. It is involved in progesterone production pathways and provides antioxidant activity, which may support menstrual cycle balance and symptom regulation.
Optimizing Your Preconception Phase
Preparing to conceive is about more than just getting pregnant, it’s about laying the foundation for a healthy pregnancy and baby. This requires strategic nutritional support:
CoQ10 enhances mitochondrial function and may improve egg quality. Your reproductive cells need energy to perform at their highest level.
Inositol provides metabolic and hormonal balance, particularly beneficial for women with PCOS. This supplement helps your body utilize insulin more effectively while supporting healthy hormone production.
Navigating Perimenopause and Menopause with Confidence
Perimenopause and menopause are not problems to solve, they are natural transitions that deserve thoughtful support. Dr. Natalie Crawford emphasizes the importance of nervous system balance, hormone regulation, and bone health during this phase of life.
DHEA is a naturally occurring hormone that serves as a precursor to estrogen and testosterone. Levels gradually decline with age, and supplemental support may help maintain hormonal balance during the transition.
Melatonin plays a role in regulating circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycles. Supporting melatonin levels may be helpful as changes in hormone production can influence sleep quality and timing.
The Integration Approach: Beyond Supplementation
Dr. Crawford's protocols recognize supplements work best within a comprehensive health strategy. These recommendations are not Band-Aid solutions but tools for long-term optimization.
Each phase of your life presents unique opportunities for health enhancement. Rather than viewing hormonal changes as challenges to overcome, these protocols help you work with your body's natural intelligence.
Your health journey is not linear, and your supplement strategy should not be either. Dr. Crawford's framework provides the flexibility to adapt your approach as your needs change while maintaining consistent foundational support.
Take Action: Your Next Steps
Stop settling for generic health advice that ignores your unique physiological needs. Dr. Crawford's protocols offer personalized strategies based on rigorous scientific research and clinical experience.
Your hormonal health is not separate from your overall well-being, it is central to your energy, mood, and long-term vitality. These protocols give you the tools to optimize every phase of your journey.
Access Dr. Crawford's complete protocols on SuppCo and start building your personalized health optimization strategy today.
--
Personal note from Jordan
The scientific community has a responsibility to address the historical underrepresentation of women in research studies, and honestly, science has failed women for far too long. Most medical recommendations were built on studies of male subjects, leaving women to figure out their health with inadequate guidance. As a researcher, this knowledge gap has always frustrated me. Dr. Crawford's protocols represent exactly the kind of targeted, evidence-based approach we desperately need to correct these oversights. Her clinical expertise fills a void that should never have existed in the first place. Her work pushes our field forward and finally gives women the scientifically-grounded tools they deserve for optimal health.
j