| Menopause Supplements: The Latest Eve-olution © VRM | |||
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It used to be that women went from having "the curse" to going through "the change." And, nobody spoke about either condition openly. Fortunately, social mores have relaxed, allowing women to feel more confident in discussing their bodily functions and in finding solutions to natural discomforts, such as those symptoms of peri-menopause. First, a distinction: "Menopause itself is actually a day in time," related Tori Stuart, president of Zoe Foods, Newton, MA. "It is the day after a woman has not had a menstrual cycle for one full year. Before this day, she is experiencing peri-menopause, characterized by fluctuations in the menstrual cycle and in hormonal balance, and the time when the symptoms are occurring." Symptoms, she said, can occur as early as age 35 and as late as age 60. Linda MacKenzie, president of Creative Health & Spirit, Manhattan Beach, CA, said that the common symptoms of peri-menopause can include none, some of all of the following: insomnia, palpitations, hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, itchy skin, dizziness, weakness, numbness in arms or hands, low libido, vaginal dryness, urinary infections or incontinence, irregular bleeding, weight gain, hair loss, acne, growth of facial hair, and psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, irritability, weeping, mood swings. "An individualized process, no woman experiences menopause in exactly the same way," MacKenzie noted. "Menopause symptoms can range from none to many, and last for varying lengths of time up to five years. Cultural background, diet, lifestyle, genetics and knowledge of the menopausal process play key roles in how a woman will experience menopause," she added.
"The number of women who are turning 50 daily makes a substantial market for products that provide natural relief for menopause," remarked Scott Smith, vice president of corporate development for Natural Balance, the Castle Rock, CO-maker of Ladies' Choice, a supplement for peri-menopausal support. "Menopausal women today are far better informed than their mothers and are very savvy about their health; today's 50-year-old woman is in her prime and is looking forward to many more years of active quality living." Baby boomers, pointed out Stuart, comprise 29 percent of the population, which is the largest population segment. Last year, about 83 million Americans paid more than $27 billion out-of-pocket for alternative therapies - and more than 50 percent of Americans aged 30 to 50 used alternative therapies. A Word on HRT Lately, renowned model and actress Lauren Hutton has been telling women via television commercials that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the way to sail through the changes. Many women, who may indeed respect the spokesperson, are still reluctant to take on such a serious pharmaceutical regimen. Instead, they are looking at gentler, more naturally composed options alone or in conjunction with HRT (typically prescribed estrogen and progestin, a synthetic progesterone). Ellen Kamhi, PhD, RN, author of Cycles of Life, Herbs and Energy Techniques for the Stages of a Woman's Life, writes, "Due to possible side effects, especially the threat of cancer, many women choose not to use it." A study published in the January 2000 edition of Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), demonstrated a 40 percent increase in breast cancer incidence among women taking HRT estradiol (estrogen) and progestin, Kamhi pointed out. A 1996 mall intercept done by Bloomfield, CT-based AmeriFit for research supporting the launch of its Estroven product, asked women about their attitudes toward menopause and HRT. According to Craig Larsen, director of product integrity for the manufacturer, statistics at that time showed that 50 percent of women never filled their HRT prescriptions, and that another half stopped taking the HRT within a year because of the side effects. Valerie Otto, president of Becoming, Inc., New York, NY, formulator and manufacturer of Oona, an herbal supplement for menopause management, elaborated: "The American College of Gynecology and Obstetricians has reported that two out of three women do not take HRT, or go off it for three significant reasons: they are afraid of the risks, they do not like the side effects, and they are not fully confident of the benefits. So, many women are looking for other options; there is a huge market for women who are very well educated and very smart," she stated. The Phytoestrogen Anchor Certain ingredients are featured in most, if not all, supplements geared for soothing menopause symptoms. Notably, phytoestrogens - typically isoflavones either from soy or from red clover - dominate, and anchor, change-of-life supplements. According to literature supplied by Novogen, estrogen's role goes beyond maintaining a woman's reproductive system. Estrogen influences blood pressure, the types of cholesterol the body makes, the thickness and luster of the skin, certain bran functions, muscle strength and bone strength, among others. The body manufactures two classes of estrogen - steroidal estrogens and phenolic estrogens. Steroidal estrogens are made from cholesterol. This class includes estriol, estrone and estradiol. "When a woman reaches midlife, her production of estradiol slows; this is what induces menopause," the literature points out. The second class is phenolic estrogen made in the body from dietary sources, i.e, phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens, found in all plants (fruits, vegetables and grains), are comprised of six major types: flavones, flavonols, lignans and chalcones; flavonones found only in citrus fruits, and isoflavones found only in legumes, are the most potent. "It is well accepted in the medical community that phytoestrogens can be beneficial to female health during periods of estrogen fluctuation, decline or cessation," said Larsen of AmeriFit. David Russell of Novogen, Inc., the Stamford, CT-based manufacturer of Promensil red clover supplement for menopause management, explained, "The exact mechanism of action of red clover isoflavones is unknown. However, what is known is that isoflavones act more on the beta estrogen receptor than the alpha receptor, allowing relief of hot flashes without known breast or uterine effects." Scott Smith of Natural Balance points to a very important distinction between phytoestrogens and estrogens in certain herbs, such as pomegranate seed. "A phytoestrogen is a plant compound that acts similar to estrogen by stimulating the estrogen receptor sites in the body. Although it is not identical to estrogen, a phytoestrogen helps maintain estrogen activity. The benefit of this is that the phytoestrogens are typically not as strong as the body's own estrogen. Meanwhile, pomegranate seed is the richest natural source of estrogen in the plant kingdom." Natural Balance's Ladies Choice combines soy isoflavones and pomegranate seed with Protykin trans-resveratrol (another potent phytoestrogen, said Smith), red clover, black cohosh extract, dong quai, vitex, vitamin E, licorice, and kava kava. Estroven from AmeriFit, combines phytoestrogens from numerous sources including soy, kudzu, black cohosh combined with kava and folic acid. Promensil, from Novogen, offers 40 mg of red clover isoflavones, including genistein, biochanin, daidzein and formononetin. A 1999 study done on the product showed a 52 percent decrease in the intensity of night sweats in peri-menopausal subjects; hot flashes were reduced from an average of 8.1 per day to 3.6 per day after eight weeks of supplementation, and intensity of hot flashes decreased by an overall 56 percent. NOW Foods, Bloomingdale, IL, earlier this year launched its Menopause Support. This formula combines soy isoflavones, black cohosh, kava, and standardized extracts of vitex, red clover and ginkgo biloba. Soy & Red Clover Isoflavones, a concentrated phytoestrogen product, is available from Nature's Answer, Hauppauge, NY. This extract supplies 40 mg of isoflavones in a liquid delivery form. Beyond Isoflavones "When I began researching natural options for menopausal symptoms, I looked into every herb that was indicated for women's health; after about two years of research and development, I really felt that black cohosh and chaste tree berry would make the best sense in a formulation," said Valerie Otto of Becoming, Inc., referring to her supplement, Oona. Oona is a simple formulation "that does not contain everything but the kitchen sink." Otto stated that it is not a phytoestrogen product, but another approach to managing peri-menopausal symptoms. "It balances hormones through the pituitary gland to help the body regulate itself. This is an important mechanism of action for this time in a woman's life," she stressed. "Clinical studies show that the effects of the ingredients in Oona increase when taken for the prescribed duration. The "wild pitches" thrown by the imbalanced estrogens during peri-menopause, affect other bodily hormones as well. Explained Dr. Barbara Brewitt, president of Biomed Comm, Seattle, WA, "as the human growth hormone (HGH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) ratio becomes imbalanced with aging, women experience declines in lean body mass, bone density, sleep quality, skin quality and moisture, renal function, and other factors. Obesity and stress rise." IGF-1, Brewitt said, represents the key for women's long-term health as it is very closely tied to estrogen, metabolism, bone density, stress, and cognitive functions. IGF-1 is compromised in a woman by several factors. "Thyroid hormones, birth control pills, and oral estrogen replacement therapy reduce the bioavailability of IGF-1," she stated. She added that four clinical studies demonstrated that homeopathic IGF-1 was responsible for increasing energy, relieving stress and depression, enhancing concentration and cognition, and controlling appetite. Also useful is a cache of supplements from Portland, OR-based Transitions for Health, Portland, OR. Its Emerita line of supplements include specialized formulas, such as Sleep Formula, Hot Flash Formula and Libido Formula. New from Zand Herbal Formulas, Ferndale, WA, is Menopause Herbal Day & Night. The day formula contains B vitamins, black cohosh, GABA, grape seed extract, and eleutherococcus. The night formula contains magnesium, GABA, 5-HTP, standardized black cohosh, and a proprietary herbal blend. The company also offers Changes for Women liquid formula featuring dong quai and vitex in a proprietary herbal blend. Femgest's Menopause Relief, from Holbrook, NY-based Home Health, blends five known herbal ingredients for menopause support - soy concentrate, vitex, black cohosh, dong quai and licorice. The product can help provide relief from night sweats and hot flashes, and support breast health. Future supplements for menopause may feature FruiteX B, a natural form phytoboron (calcium fructo borate), a novel raw material from Futureceuticals, Santa Rosa, CA. According to technical sales manager Hartley Pond, the ingredient does not increase estrogen synthesis, but helps maintain a higher estrogen homeostasis by reducing estrogen breakdown. "Although not fully studied, FruiteX B would be a great addition to many women's blend supplements that would also include soy isoflavones," he said. Sweet And Tasty Symptom Relief More Americans are eating functional foods and drinking fortified, nutritious beverages. In this case, tasty pill alternatives help alleviate numerous symptoms of peri-menopause, and also provide long-term systemic support. For breakfast, Organic Woman's Bread, from French Meadow Bakery, Minneapolis, MN, offers a hefty serving of soy isoflavones. Company president and formulator Lynn Gordon explained why the soy used in Woman's Bread is distinctive. "The soy is a superior form, and lends increased absorption and digestibility because it contains fermented soy isoflavones combined with sprouted soy. There is no phytic acid in the soy isoflavones; phytic acid can strip the villi of the intestines and cause bloating," she said. Woman's Bread (which can also be used for lunch and even dinner) contains 80 mg soy isoflavones, 10 g fiber and flax seeds. "For a hearty, low-calorie, high-protein breakfast, toast two slices of Woman's Bread," she said. Ladies can also enjoy a breakfast of granola. Zoe Foods offers Flax & Soy Granola. "Our granola is based on a recipe my mother developed to help reduce her menopausal hot flashes," said Tori Stuart. The granola, offered in two varieties (Cranberries and Currants, and Almonds and Oats), is a naturally sweetened blend of dry-roasted soybeans, ground flaxseed, grains and fruit. Research, pointed out Stuart, shows that incorporating flaxseed and soy into the diet may minimize hot flashes. Flax seed is of exceptional benefit during peri-menopause, Stuart explained. "Ground flax seed is the only form that provides both soluble and insoluble fiber. Whole flax seeds only provide insoluble fiber. Flax seed oil is higher in omega 3 EFAs, but the oil may not have the lignans (phytoestrogens) unless it has been added back, and it also doesn't provide the fiber. Ground flax seeds offer all the benefits. The fiber is crucial as it carries excess estrogen out of the body." Also for snacktime is the companion Flax & Soy Bars, and Stuart noted that there will be several more varieties of each introduced next year. Convenient snacks/beverages for women on the go are Menopausitive, from Natural Vitality, Inc., Chino, CA, and Total Soy Menopause Relief from Irvine, CA-based Naturade, Inc. The nondairy, ready-to-drink Menopausitive features 24 herbs, 29 vitamins and minerals, 15 g of soy protein and 110 mg of soy isoflavones in a 9.5-oz. can. It is offered in three varieties - Mocha Latte, Vanilla Cinnamon Chai, and Chocolate Truffle. Naturade's Total Soy Menopause Relief is a newer entry. The shake-mix powder, offered in Chocolate and Vanilla flavors, provides 10 g soy protein and 50 mg soy isoflavones in each serving. It also contains black cohosh, and 600 mg of calcium. Other Holistic Approaches Besides menopause-relief supplements and palate-pleasing functional foods, aromatherapeutic essential oils, herbs, and singular dietary supplements can be sold as a well-rounded approach to healthy menopause. In her new book, The Chemistry of Success: Secrets of Peak Performance, noted women's health authority Susan Lark, MD, suggests the following for general health and well-being: • Maintain a balanced thyroid with two key nutrients - amino acid tyrosine, and iodine; • Maintain body-energizing ATP with CoQ10 and l-carnitine; • Use ginkgo biloba to ensure healthy circulation and oxygenation to the brain; • Ensure the body's proper alkaline/ acid balance - too much acidity promotes muscle weakness and fatigue. Kamhi recommends eight herbs for peri-menopausal women to consider: black cohosh, Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), licorice root, dong quai, chaste tree berry (vitex), wild yam, motherwort and sea vegetables. Linda MacKenzie of Creative Health & Spirit, recommended aromatherapy for peri-menopausal women. For night sweats, sell clary sage, peppermint and rose; rose is good for hot flashes. Lavender is used for fatigue and weakness; sell basil and cardamom for low libido. For emotional stress, recommend neroli, orange blossom and geranium; recommend lemon, orange, rose otto and melissa for hormonal balance. MacKenzie's company also offers an audiotape, "Help Yourself Heal: Menopause," that describes what menopause is, discusses signs and symptoms, then explains various natural remedies. MacKenzie also provides seven specific visualizations focusing on the mind-body connection. Peri-menopause is a time when many women reevaluate themselves and their lives, and frequently inspires and motivates numerous women to live a healthier existence. As with any other case of individuality, remember that one woman's menopause is not the same as the next woman's. "Treatment for each woman is different, depending on her own unique and ongoing health profile," pointed out Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, of the University of Kansas Medical Center. "The 'one size fits all' approach to menopause is simply not adequate." VR 11-01
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