For over 35 years, Lorna Vanderhaeghe has been leading the charge on women’s health.
As a product developer, researcher, educator and author, she is regularly featured in leading media, and probably best known for her unique line of supplements carried nationwide.
Chances are, if you’re not taking one of her formulas, you’ve likely seen her vibrant pink products on store shelves. But don’t be fooled by the pretty packaging – her formulas are top-notch, containing the highest quality ingredients backed by leading research.
And they work! We’ve been fans of Lorna’s for some time, and can’t say enough about her ESTROsmart to balance our hormones, Collagen Plus to boost our skin, and MAGsmart to help us relax and catch better zzzz’s every night.
Curious to learn more about this healthy power-house, we got a sneak peek inside her fridge – plus the inside scoop on her not-so-guilty snack addiction, her take on dairy, and what foods every woman should include daily.
How would you describe your current diet? Vegan, vegetarian?
I’m vegetarian, although I do eat fish and shellfish. I gave up eating meat when I was 12 – mostly because I didn’t like the taste or smell, or how it made me feel.
Looks like you have a good variety of healthy foods in your fridge. Any foods you must always have on-hand?
Yogurt and Bio-k+ are big in my household. Loads of veggies too! I like to freeze them, and then snack on them throughout the day. Organic, pasteurized but not homogenized milk from a local farm in the Okanagan is also a popular item. With non-homogenized milk, the fat globules are not broken down, but rise to the top to form a cream – delicious, and a superb source of CLA!
Do you allow yourself sweet or savoury treats?Popcorn is my thing! I’ll make a big pot of it using organic kernels with organic coconut oil and sea salt. A big bowl of that – sometimes after a long working day, and I’m very happy!
Obviously, you’re a big believer in supplements to complement a healthy lifestyle. Are there any formulas we women should include regularly – no matter what?
Absolutely a high quality multi-vitamin/mineral. Our diets are so void of proper nutrients found mostly in plant foods, which are either deficient due to poor farming and/or just missing. Essential fatty acids are also key, as is a daily probiotic. Healthy fats impact everything from our skin to our hormones. And a probiotic is essential – not just for gut health, but immunity and weight loss too (more research on that coming soon, which I’m excited about).
Are there any ‘big dreams’ you’re holding on to where expanding your business is concerned?
Breast cancer prevention is my next area of focus. I truly believe we’re not doing enough where ‘prevention’ is concerned. The emphasis has been on screening – and yet, prevention is key – whether by diet, supplementation, reduced stress, environmental changes, etc. I could go on!
Clearly, you have a very strong focus on hormonal health, and ways to help women best. Do you believe hormonal health in general has gotten worse over the years due to our diet, environment and genetics?
For years now, the media has made ‘menopause’ the hormonal health story when in fact, it starts way before. Girls today are getting their periods much younger. Cysts, fibroids, infertility, weight gain – these are all issues that relate back to hormonal activity (namely excess estrogen) in the body. Unfortunately, poor diet, toxins in our environment and stress are all factors to be seriously taken into account too – and why I’m so passionate about educating and providing women today with the help they need – both for themselves and young daughters.
Of all your formulas, is there one you’re most proud of?
I’d have to say ESTROsmart. I developed this formula specifically to promote healthy estrogen-to-progesterone balance using the most natural, effective ingredients based on clinical research. When taken daily, it helps cleanse the body of toxic estrogens found in plastics, pesticides and cosmetics – while halting abnormal cell growth including breast lumps, fibroids, cysts, endometriosis and uterine lining. For women suffering with PCOS or ovarian cysts, are concerned about developing breast cancer and/or endure painful periods or PMS, ESTROsmart can and WILL help all of the above. It’s a proven formula, a ‘game-changer’ as I like to call it with clinical research proving its efficacy. Not to mention the hundreds of testimonials I receive and hear from women of all ages. Honestly, if it were up to me, I’d have teenagers taking this formula daily – the earlier the better!
Q. When it comes to diet, are there particular foods or beverages you feel every woman should include regularly for optimum hormonal health?
Follow a predominantly organic based diet! Avoid use of plastics and foods and products containing harsh chemicals and pesticides – as they are among the most dangerous estrogen-disrupters. Eat your veggies – lots and lots of them – specifically those of the cruciferous family. Seek out local, organic dairy products – if they’re not organic, do not buy. Avoid soy and all soy products. Include protein at every meal and snack. Many women fail to do this – and yet, protein is absolutely essential for healthy metabolism, lean muscle mass and immunity. Avoid grains – particularly if you are over-weight. Include healthy fats such as pumpkin seed and borage oil every day.
