Ingredient Cheat Sheet

Both variants deliver 30g of complete protein per serve, all 9 essential amino acids including leucine, the critical trigger for muscle protein synthesis. Faba Bean: plant-based, dairy-free, no allergens, easy to digest. Research shows Faba Bean outperforms milk protein in the muscle rebuilding phase. WPI, Whey Protein Isolate: fast-absorbing, high-leucine dairy protein. Contains milk. Both protein bases are available in Piña Colada and Berry Bliss. Either variant delivers the protein quality needed to support muscle maintenance and growth, which is the central goal for perimenopausal women.

One of the most exciting emerging supplements in women's health. Perimenopausal women have naturally declining creatine stores. Supplementing restores them, supporting lean muscle, faster recovery, sharper thinking, and mood. Does NOT cause bulk. Research also points to bone density benefits and reduced brain fog. This is not your teenage son's pre-workout, it's one of the best-evidenced supplements for midlife women specifically.

Oestrogen decline triggers up to 30% loss of skin collagen in the first 5 years post-menopause. Collagen supplementation is clinically supported for skin, joints, tendons, and gut lining health. IMPORTANT: collagen is an incomplete protein, it cannot build skeletal muscle. That's what the Faba Bean protein is for. Collagen does what collagen does brilliantly.

The probiotic strain is Bacillus coagulans, 5 billion CFU per serve. Unlike most lactobacillus strains, Bacillus coagulans is spore-forming, which means it survives stomach acid intact and reaches the gut alive, something many cheaper probiotics can't guarantee. Perimenopause significantly alters the gut microbiome. The gut is directly involved in oestrogen metabolism through the estrobolome, a subset of gut bacteria that reactivate used oestrogen and allow it to recirculate. An imbalanced estrobolome means less oestrogen recycling, compounding hormonal decline. The formula also includes a digestive enzyme blend (Amylase, Cellulase, Lipase, Lactase, Protease, 50mg) to support full nutrient breakdown and absorption.

Over 50% of perimenopausal women are deficient in magnesium. Citrate is a well-absorbed, gentle form, a significant step above the oxide used in most mass-market supplements, and easy on digestion as part of a daily formula. It supports sleep quality, cortisol regulation, blood sugar balance, mood, and bone density. Magnesium also activates vitamin D, without it, vitamin D supplementation is far less effective. It modulates the brain's stress response system, helping lower chronically elevated cortisol, which directly drives abdominal fat storage.

Your brain has vitamin D receptors. Low D3 is directly linked to depression, fatigue, and immune dysfunction. Deficiency is widespread in Australian women, especially during winter or for women who work indoors. D3 (cholecalciferol) is the most bioavailable form. Activated by magnesium, which is why having both in the same formula matters.

Zinc supports hormone production, thyroid function (thyroid issues are disproportionately common in perimenopausal women), immune response, skin healing, and protein synthesis. Often depleted by stress and poor diet. Each serve delivers 12mg as zinc oxide, 100% of the recommended daily intake. Works in synergy with vitamin D and magnesium.

L-Carnitine is the transport molecule that shuttles long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, the cell's engine, where they're burned for energy. Without adequate L-carnitine, fat simply can't be used as fuel effectively. The L-tartrate form is the most bioavailable, fastest-absorbing form and is the one used in the majority of exercise research. At 1000mg per serve, this is a clinically relevant dose. In perimenopause, the metabolic shift makes the body less efficient at fat oxidation, L-carnitine directly addresses this mechanism. Also supports muscle recovery and reduces exercise-induced soreness.

Declining oestrogen directly reduces insulin sensitivity, this is physiological, not a personal failing. Less sensitivity means more blood sugar instability, stronger carb cravings, and more fat stored around the middle. Postmenopausal women carry on average twice the visceral fat of premenopausal women of similar body weight, the insulin mechanism is central to this. Chromium potentiates insulin receptor signalling, improving glucose uptake and stabilising blood sugar after meals. The picolinate form is the most bioavailable form of chromium, it's what the clinical research is based on, and it's what Essential AF uses (50μg per serve).

Glutamine is the primary fuel source for the cells lining the gut wall. Under chronic stress, and elevated cortisol is common in perimenopause, glutamine stores are rapidly depleted, leading to gut lining breakdown, leaky gut symptoms, bloating, and impaired nutrient absorption. 1.9g per serve supports gut wall integrity, speeds muscle repair after exercise, and bolsters immune function (the gut houses approximately 70% of the immune system). Works in direct synergy with the probiotics, inulin, and digestive enzymes in the formula to create a comprehensive gut health system.

The formula combines two prebiotic fibres: Chicory Inulin (3g) and Acacia Fibre (4.5g), 7g+ of dietary fibre total per serve. Inulin selectively feeds beneficial gut bacteria, supports blood sugar regulation, and helps with satiety. Acacia fibre is exceptionally gentle on digestion, it's soluble, low-FODMAP, and one of the most well-tolerated fibres available, making it ideal in a daily formula. Together they feed the Bacillus coagulans probiotic strain, improve the absorption of calcium and magnesium, and help the formula sit comfortably even for women with sensitive guts.