I'm sorry, Kelly - I didn't want to say it that plainly before but the article you posted includes so much false information, it's hard to find a point where to start criticizing it.
You cannot offset the negative effects of the pill because anything opposing the estrogen would be anti-estrogenic or natural progesterone which would reduce or even eliminate the one "positive" (that is: desired) effect of the pill: the birth control part.
I don't see why a young woman should not use birth control. I'm not at all against it.
As long it's not estrogen or progestin being used.
The harmful effects of estrogen are downplayed in the article.
* Though taking oral contraceptives regularly is 99 percent effective in birth control, there are many possible side effects. Weight gain, emotional swings, circulatory and vascular symptoms, and gastrointestinal upset are not uncommon. Blood clots, liver problems, and cancer
are also possible, though relatively rare; these were more common in the 1960s with the higher-dose pills.
* Oral contraceptives may create certain nutrient deficiencies and excesses as well as increase the nutritional needs of the user. Most of the B vitamins, particularly pyridoxine (B6) and folic acid, are needed in higher amounts when birth control pills are taken. The copper level usually rises, and zinc levels often fall. Thus, more zinc is needed as well. An increased need for vitamins C, E, and K may also result from the use of birth control pills.
Supplementing zinc will cause gastrointestinal inflammation and increases the risk for breast cancer.
Supplementing vitamin C can activate dormant cancer cells.
Supplementing vitamin K while already supplementing estrogen will increase the danger of blood clotting.
* Sharon DeBuren, nurse practitioner and nutritionist, adds that the depression from BCPs is also a neurochemical reaction to artificial steroids (female hormones), and from a
lack of a women's own superior hormones, estradiol and natural progesterone secreted with ovulation.
Lack of estradiol on the pill. That would be a first.
http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/na ... gens.shtml
* Cutting down on refined foods and
sugary treats is also suggested; these foods are "empty" calories and may cause further nutrient depletion.
No sugar, sure.
http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/sugar-issues.shtml
* Teenage girls on "the pill" must also be particularly careful to avoid nutritional deficiencies, and all would be
well advised to take a supportive nutritional supplement. Adequate intake of the antioxidant nutrients, such as
vitamins C and E, selenium, and
beta-carotene, can help reduce potential toxicity of oral contraceptives.
We all know: the less supplements, the better.
Ray Peat: With a diet high in protein (e.g., at least 70-100 grams per day, including eggs) and vitamin A (not carotene), I have found that the dose of progesterone can be reduced each month.
Ray Peat: The reason for the menopausal progesterone deficiency is a complex of stress-related causes. Free-radicals (for example, from iron in the corpus luteum) interfere with progesterone synthesis, as do prolactin, ACTH, estrogen, cortisol, carotene, and an imbalance of gonadotropins.
* A high-nutrient diet is the best prevention for problems. Low-fat protein levels and
nutritious foods such as whole grains, vegetables, nuts, and seeds are also important. Eating lots of vegetables is the best way to prevent many mineral deficits and also maintain weight. And several teaspoons of cold-pressed vegetable oil, particularly olive oil, should also be used daily to
ensure the intake of the essential fatty acids.
Don't know where to start here ...
* Copper intake in supplements should be limited to 1 mg., though the increased zinc intake will help lower copper levels.
No copper supplements - I can give you a list of the symptoms you might get. Frightening! They can oxidize the vitamins in your body. Eat oysters if you want more copper and balance it with zinc at the same time. Zinc will not lower copper levels, it just balances them.
*
Whole grains, nuts, seeds, and vegetables will ensure that copper requirements are met.
Again.
* Nutrient Program for Oral Contraceptives: Water 1½-3 qt.
Ray Peat doesn't recommend water. He says thirst is a good way to know if you need something to drink. He recommends OJ, milk, Coca-Cola, ...
* Nutrient Program for Oral Contraceptives: Plus a high quality vitamin-mineral product with at least these nutrients: Vitamin A 5,000-10,000 IUs, Calcium* 600-1,000 mg., Beta-carotene 10,000-20,000 IUs, Chromium 200-400 mcg., Vitamin D 200-400 IUs, Copper 1-2 mg., Vitamin E 400-600 IUs, Iron 15-20 mg., Thiamine (B1) 25-50 mg., Magnesium* 400-600 mg., Riboflavin (B2) 25-50 mg.,
Manganese 5-10 mg., Niacin or niacinamide (B3) 25-50 mg., Molybdenum 150-300 mcg., Pantothenic acid (B5) 50-250 mg., Phosphorus 600-800 mg., Pyridoxine(B6) 25-200 mg.,
Potassium 1-2 g., Cobalamin (B12) 50-200 mcg. (at CHI we suggest 2800mcg daily), Selenium 150-300 mcg., Folic acid 600-800 mcg., Zinc 30-60 mg., Biotin 200-400 mcg., PABA 25-50 mg.
Sounds like an interesting meal: supplement salad.
* Fatty acids, olive, or Flaxseed oils 1-2 teaspoons
Flaxseed oils because they are "essential".
* Vitamin C 1-3 g. with Bioflavonoids 250-500 mg.
Ray Peat: Flavonoids and polyphenols, like our own estrogens, suppress the detoxifying systems of the body.
Ray Peat: For example, the flavonoids, naringenin, quercetin and kaempherol (kaempherol is an antioxidant, a phytoestrogen, and a mutagen) modify the metabolism of estradiol, causing increased bioavailability of both estrone and estradiol. (W. Schubert, et al., "Inhibition of 17-beta-estradiol metabolism by grapefruit juice in ovariectomized women," Maturitas (Ireland) 30(2-3), 155-163, 1994.)
http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/na ... gens.shtml
Ray Peat: Vitamin C stimulates the absorption of iron, so it might be a good idea to avoid drinking orange juice at the same meal with iron-rich foods. A deficiency of copper causes our tissues to retain an excess of iron, so foods such as shrimp and oysters which contain abundant copper should be used regularly.
http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/iron-dangers.shtml
So after all I would not recommend this article.
There are hundreds of better publications out there.
Ray Peat's for instance.