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Too much or too little hormone in your bloodstream creates a hormonal imbalance. Hormones are messengers within the body that tell your organs and tissues how to function. Unfortunately, hormone imbalance is associated with various symptoms from fatigue to mood swings and even depression.
Statistics show that 80% of women suffer from hormonal imbalances [1], and some of them live with these imbalances without ever realizing it. These imbalances go undiagnosed most of the time. However, once problems begin to arise, you just can’t ignore them anymore.
Fortunately, there are ways to balance your hormones, which usually revolve around having the right foods, vitamins, and female hormone balance supplements like Harmony. However, does this specific formula have the right ingredients to help you restore your balance? This is what we’ll figure out in this review.
Main Takeaways
- Harmony is a supplement with two proprietary blends: a superfood blend with antioxidant-rich ingredients like coconut milk, cacao, and turmeric, and a harmonizing blend with ingredients like maca and chaste tree aimed at balancing hormones and easing PMS symptoms.
- Unfortunately, the use of proprietary blends in Harmony obscure ingredient dosages, making it difficult to evaluate its effectiveness. Some ingredients require high doses to be effective, raising concerns about under-dosing.
- The harmonizing blend contains ingredients like chaste tree which has some evidence supporting its use for alleviating PMS symptoms, but the scientific backing is limited and potentially biased.
- With a steep price of $70 per canister, Harmony is clearly an expensive formula, which may be an issue for budget-conscious consumers.
What Are The Ingredients in Harmony?
Harmony is a dietary supplement made with a variety of superfoods and adaptogens, all of which are included in two different proprietary blends: one is called the superfood blend and the other is called the harmonizing blend.
The superfood blend contains several ingredients, namely coconut milk, cacao, acacia, cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger. Most of these ingredients are rich in antioxidants, and play an anti-inflammatory role in your body, while some contain adaptogenic properties that may be capable of promoting a general feeling of happiness.
The harmonizing blend uses ingredients such as maca, chaste tree, shatavari, and stinging nettle to address a potential unbalanced ratio of progesterone and estrogen, which is the common reason for premenstrual syndrome (PMS), hence why you might feel mood swings, acne, bloat, among other symptoms.
In the following section, we’re going to determine whether these ingredients actually play role in rebalancing hormones and promoting overall well-being, or if this formula is simply a marketing ploy.
Superfood Blend
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is a source of healthy fat and MCTs which may be able to benefit weight loss and body composition.
Some evidence suggests that MCTs may help reduce appetite and decrease calorie intake compared to other fats. They may also increase energy expenditure and fat burning for a certain period of time. [2][3][4][5]
However, some evidence also suggests that the MCT content in coconut milk is very low, so it’s unlikely that coconut milk may produce such effects.
Cacao
For women who may deal with mood swings or even depression during their cycles, cacao presents itself as a solution for its positive effects on mood.
Some studies show that cacao contains properties that help convert tryptophan to the natural mood stabilizer serotonin, but it’s difficult to say whether it’s due to its caffeine content or simply the pleasure you get from eating chocolate (not necessarily due to a magical property within cacao). [6][7][8]
One study also discovered that drinking cocoa improved calmness and contentment, mostly due to the fact it contains flavanols. [9][10]
Organifi claims that cacao contains anandamide, an endocannabinoid that may be capable of providing you with a feeling of balance. However, based on the studies, that might not be due to this particular substance.
Acacia
On their official website, Organifi claims that acacia promotes good bacteria in the gut and that it may be capable of decreasing cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
This is probably because acacia is a good source of water-soluble fiber, which is widely known as being good for your gut health and also in helping keep cholesterol levels low. [11][12]
Other than the aforementioned effects, there’s no other unique effect attributed to it. You could’ve chosen any other fiber-rich plant and the effects would have been the same.
Ceylon Cinnamon
Ceylon cinnamon is a spice that can exert a variety of biological effects on the body. It doesn’t differ much from regular cinnamon, but one could say it’s a more authentic cinnamon.
It contains powerful antioxidant compounds which exert anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.
Due to these effects, it’s often used as an anti-diabetic compound, since it reduces the rate at which glucose enters the body, helping diabetics avoid blood sugar spikes. It also seems to have cholesterol-lowering effects when consumed over time. [13][14][15]
Turmeric
Tumeric is also another popular spice (mostly known for being used in curry), and it contains several bioactive compounds, namely curcumin.
Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties, and there is some solid evidence suggesting that it can alleviate some conditions from chronic pain to depression.
Several studies report a decrease in pain associated with curcumin at higher doses, which extends to post-operative, arthritis, and general pain symptoms. [16][17][18][19]
Several studies also suggest that curcumin may be effective in reducing symptoms of depression. However, the trials that produced serious effects lacked placebo groups and had small sample sizes, plus, the fact the studies were reliant on self-reported metrics doesn’t help. [20][21][22][23]
With all this being said, it’s highly likely that curcumin could play a role in alleviating the cramping pains that sometimes come before or during a period, as well as the depressive mood that sets in during that time.
Ginger
Ginger is a spice that has been traditionally used as medication, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. It seems to contain an array of therapeutic compounds as well as adaptogenic-like properties.
It seems to be reliable in preventing nausea symptoms when taken in doses between 1-3 grams, particularly nausea related to pregnancy and seasickness. [24][25][26]
However, it’s very unlikely that Harmony contains a dose higher than 1 gram given the variety of ingredients present in the Superfood Blend (which weighs 1.45 grams).
Several other studies associated with ginger also suggest an improvement in gastric emptying as well as reduced inflammation markers in people with osteoarthritis.
Preventing nausea symptoms in women with a hormone unbalance would prove positive but unfortunately, that can only be achieved at higher doses.
Harmonizing Blend
Maca
Touted for being able to improve energy levels and alertness, as well as balancing hormone levels and improving reproductive health, Maca is a name that refers to two plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family.
According to the limited scientific evidence I’ve managed to find, maca can increase libido to a notable degree and improve sexual function to a small degree. [27][28]
Unfortunately, I did not find any evidence to prove that Maca is able to balance hormone levels, nor that it’s capable of improving energy levels and alertness.
Chaste Tree
Among the various ingredients, the chaste tree is one that is primarily used to alleviate symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
Several trials have been able to prove its effectiveness in reducing PMS symptoms such as hot flashes, bloating, irritability, sleep disturbances, depression, various mood disorders, and even cramping. [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36]
Although, it’s important to note that some of these studies were subject to bias and it’s possible that some of the results were inflated. By this, I mean that the studies have been funded by a chaste tree supplement manufacturer, so it wouldn’t be unnatural for a bias to affect the result of the studies.
Shatavari
Shatavari is used in Ayurvedic medicine, and while its technical name is asparagus, it’s not actually the edible vegetable we commonly know as asparagus.
Well, it turns out that its supplementation may aid with digestion given its anti-ulcer effects. [37][38][39]
However, these results have only been obtained through animal studies, so the effects of Shatavari are questionable until it’s properly tested on humans.
Shatavari has also been praised for its positive effects on anxiety, depression, and libido, but the truth is that there are many other herbs out there more potent than shatavari. Ashwagandha is one such herb.
Frankly, Shatavari doesn’t seem that compelling when we assess its potential effects. On top of that, it hasn’t been researched as much as other herbs.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle is a plant that is packed with vitamins and minerals, as well as potent antioxidants.
It doesn’t appear to have any strong effects associated with hormone imbalance, but it seems to have potent anti-inflammatory effects.
And although It’s impossible to tell whether it’s effective in relieving pain (derived from premenstrual syndrome), it seems to be able to reduce sniffles. [40]
Other than that, I don’t see any other use for the stinging nettle.
What I Like About Harmony
Organic Ingredients
If you’re like me and would rather avoid processed ingredients that may be detrimental to your health, it is always a good decision to opt for foods derived from organic agriculture.
The ingredients in Harmony are entirely derived from organic agriculture, which means that the quality of the ingredients is superior to non-organic ones.
Another significant detail is that this formula is certified by the USDA, which means every ingredient has met strict organic standards.
What I Don’t Like About Harmony
Proprietary Blends
This is a strong enough reason for me not to buy this supplement. By having proprietary blends, I’m unable to see if the ingredients are dosed appropriately, making it impossible to assess the efficacy of the supplement. Even though this supplement contains a variety of promising ingredients, it doesn’t mean anything if they’re underdosed.
Expensive Price
Compared to other hormone rebalancing formulas, Harmony is quite expensive at $70 per canister. I do understand that its ingredients are a byproduct of organic agriculture, but the price point is still very steep. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford such a pricey supplement, and that’s a drawback.
Is Harmony Really Worth It?
Although it’s true that it contains several whole-food-based ingredients that may be capable of reverting hormone imbalance, as well as combat some of the symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome, it is isn’t a supplement that I would personally recommend.
I say this because Organifi uses proprietary blends that hide the doses of each ingredient, making it difficult to assess the potential efficacy of each. Certain elements are only effective at really high doses, and some of them seem underdosed when you take into account the weight of the blends.
For example, the nausea-relieving effects of ginger only come about if you use doses superior to 1 gram, but the blend where the ginger is inserted only weighs 1.45 grams and it contains 6 different ingredients. So, logically speaking, ginger can’t generate the aforementioned effects because it’s underdosed.
Sure, Harmony does have several promising ingredients, but they’re not worth anything if underdosed, which is why I don’t think it’s a good option as a hormone rebalance or PMS supplement.
Medical Disclaimer: The content on this website is meant to be informative, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The content of our articles is not intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always best to speak with your doctor or a certified medical professional before making any changes to your lifestyle, diet, exercise routine, or trying a new supplement.
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