Doctor
Formulated
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Natural
source of phyto-estrogens from standardized black cohosh root extract*
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Reduces
uncomfortable effects of menopause*1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
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Modulates
hormone levels by suppressing luteinizing hormone (LH)*1, 2
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Effectively
binds with estrogen receptors*1
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Nutritional
support from antioxidant vitamins E and C
Facts About Menopause
Menopause is caused as the
ovaries, over time, produce less estrogen. This is a natural time in every
woman’s life. Without estrogen to stimulate ovulation, the menstrual periods
cease. For many women, menopause is associated with one or more undesirable
effects, such as hot flashes, negativity, anxiety, mood swings or vaginal
dryness.
The
average American woman lives a third of her life after menopause, which usually
begins at about age 50. However it is not uncommon for menopausal effects to
begin occurring, with increasing frequency, several years before this.
The fluctuating hormone levels that often occur during menopause cause
emotional and physical discomfort reported by many menopausal women. In
particular, surges of luteinizing hormone (LH), produced by the pituitary gland,
are associated with the occurrence of hot flashes. The LH “surges” in an
attempt to compensate for the decrease in estrogen levels.
Facts
About Black Cohosh
Natural plant estrogens,
called phyto-estrogens, are related in structure to estrogen8 and may ease some
of the discomfort of menopause.*7 One unique plant source of phyto‑estrogens
is black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa).
A standardized extract from the rhizome (underground stem) of black cohosh,
has been used clinically for more than 40 years in Europe, and more than
200 years by American Indians, to ease the effects of menopause.*1
Black cohosh contains compounds that bind to estrogen receptors and work
synergistically to reduce LH secretion.1
According to a clinical trial involving 110 menopausal women,
standardized black cohosh root extract supplemented daily for two months
significantly reduced LH levels.2 Another
study confirmed the effectiveness of black cohosh to help alleviate the
discomforts of menopause.3
Contraindications: side
effects of black cohosh seem to be limited to minor gastrointestinal discomfort.
At daily dosages as high as 160 mg, no toxicity is evident. Caution: One source
noted that no long-term studies regarding the use of black cohosh had been done,
therefore the recommendation was to limit its use to 6 months or less.9 Pregnant
or lactating women should not use this product.
Ingredient Facts
Vitamin E, as a nutritional aid during menopause, was first studied in
the 1940s. Several of these early studies showed promising results for
menopausal women supplementing with vitamin E.5,6 Although there have been no
follow‑up studies to this early research, clinicians continue to link
vitamin E to reducing the discomforts associated with menopause.*
Vitamin C, combined with the antioxidant flavonoid hesperidin, has been
demonstrated in one study to provide a measure of relief from some menopausal
discomforts.4
Phyto-estrogens from other plant sources are also supportive for
menopausal women,* including soy bean, wild yam, rice, flax seeds, and amaranth.
These foods contain phyto‑estrogens and have been used historically for
the support of the gynecological health of women.*
Australian researchers compared the ability of different food source
phyto-estrogens to alleviate the undesirable effects of menopause.10
A group of 58 menopausal women ate diets with either wheat (containing
enterolactones) or soy (containing isoflavones). The wheat group had 25 percent
fewer hot flashes while the soy group reduced hot flashes by an impressive 40
percent.*10
A combination of soy beans and flax seeds was shown in a three-month
study of 145 menopausal women to significantly reduce some of the more common
symptoms of
menopause.11
Another study of 40 menopausal women showed that soy protein provides a
45% reduction in hot flashes.7
References
-
Brinker,
F. Macrotys. Eclectic Med J,
1996;II:2-4.
-
Duker,
EM., et al. Effects of extracts from Cimicifuga
racemosa on gonadotropin release in menopausal women and ovariectomized
rats. Planta Medica 1991;57(5):420-424.
-
Lehmann,
WE., Riedel, HH. Klinische und endokrinologische untersuchungen zur therapie
ovariellrausfallserscheinungen nach hysterektomie unter belassung der adnexe.
Zentralblatt Fuer Gynackologie,
1988;110:611-618.
-
Smith,
CJ. Non‑hormonal control of vaso‑motor flushing in menopausal
patients. Chicago Medicine, March
7, 1964.
-
Perloff,
WH. Treatment of the menopause. Am J
Obstet Gynecol, 1949;58:684-94.
-
Gozan,
HA. The use of vitamin E in treatment of the
menopause. NY State J Med,
1952;52:1289.
-
Albertazzi,
P., Pansini, F., Bonaccorsi, G., et al. The effect of dietary soy
supplementation on hot flushes. Obstet
Gynecol, 1998;91:6-11.
-
Martin,
PM., Horwitz, KB., Ryan, DS. and McGuire, WL. Phytoestrogen interaction with
estrogen receptors in human breast cancer cells. Endocrinology,
1978;103(5):1860-7.
-
Snow,
JM., Sprint 1996. Cimicifuga racemosa
(L) Nutt. (Ranunculaceae). The
protocol Journal of Botanical Medicine, pp. 17-19.
-
Murkies,
AL., et al. Dietary flour supplementation decreases post‑menopausal
hot flushes: effect of soy and wheat. Maturitas,
1995;21(3):189-195.
-
Rzezinski,
A., Adlercreutz, H., et al. Short‑term effects of phytoestrogen-rich
diet on postmenopausal women. J North
Amer Menopause Society, 1997;4(2):89-94.