MENOVITAL 60 Tablets USES

Vitamin C & E- Caffeine, alcohol and high stress levels are all implicated in worsening hot flushes. Hot flushes are rare in vegetarian societies, again confirming that a high vegetable based diet can help, and suggesting that meat consumption may worsen the situation. It can be helpful to take supplements to reduce hot flushes. Many women find they can contain their hot flushes by taking 800 ius of vitamin E for at least three months. It is effective for about 50% of women, but if after three months the vitamin E is not helping, it is necessary to try other tactics. Vitamin E should not be used at this level if you are taking blood-thinning medication such as Warfarin, as it can thin the blood further. Other supplements can help: Two grams daily of vitamin C with bioflavanoids in the formula. It is best to take a non-acidic version such as magnesium ascorbate or potassium ascorbate. Magnesium (300 mg daily) and folic acid (400 mcg daily) can help to provide relief. Evening primrose oil, starflower oil or borage oil giving 200 mg of GLA can also reduce hot flushes. Agnus Castus- Agnus castus is one of the most popular herbs for menopause symptoms. The reason for this is simple: agnus castus eases menopause symptoms for many women. The symptoms it can help with include hot flashes (flushes), night sweats, and irregular or painful periods. Agnus castus is thought to act by affecting the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is one of the master glands of the body, situated below the brain. As this gland is affected by agnus castus it, in turn, affects the other glands of the body including the ovaries. The interplay between the hormones is the main determinant of how well the body deals with menopause symptoms. If each hormone is present in the right amount then menopause symptoms will generally be few. If, however, one or other hormone is out of balance them unpleasant symptoms are more likely to occur. The way agnus castus is thought to help the pituitary gland is by balancing out its hormone production such that the output of important hormones is neither too great not too small. This can create a hormone balance in the rest of the body, helping to minimise menopause symptoms. Flaxseed Oil- Whole flax seed (ground meal, powder or intact seed) contains 28% dietary fiber, (7 10% soluble fiber, 11 - 18% insoluble fiber), 40% fat (73% of it being polyunsaturated fatty acids), and 21% protein. Other flax seed nutrients include vitamins E and B, sterols, and mineral nutrients such as calcium, iron, and potassium. More than 50% of the fat in flax seed is an essential fatty acid called omega-3 fatty acid (alpha-linolenic acid, ALA ), which makes flax seed the richest 9(3)

plant source of omega-3 fatty acid. Flax seed is rich in antioxidants, such as lignans (also a phytosterogen) and other phenolic molecules. Unlike the ground meal and powder, flax seed oil contains no dietary fiber. Benefits of Flaxseed in Human Health The above list of nutrients renders flax seed to have beneficial effects on human health. The high dietary fiber in flax seed, due to its high water-holding capacity and low digestibility, increases the bulkiness and gastric emptying of stool. This in effect helps relieve constipation and other irritable bowel syndrome. Lignans, which are antioxidants, are also associated with lower serum cholesterol and may help reduce oxidative damage to cells and cellular molecules from free radicals. Flax seed may also lower blood glucose and improve insulin tolerance (diabetes). Whole flaxseed (powder and ground meal) may also reduce serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Flaxseed can also reduce some markers of inflammation, and raise serum levels of the omega-3 fatty acids, ALA. Soy Isoflavones- Soya is a source of phytoestrogens isoflavones. They seem to have a hormone replacement effect once our own natural oestrogen supplies begin to wane. The mild oestrogen effect of soya can ease menopausal symptoms for many women, without creating oestrogen-related problems. The oestrogenic effect of soya isoflavones is probably what accounts for the scarcity of menopausal symptoms in countries like Japan, where large amounts of soy are eaten. Soya also probably helps to counter the effects of damaging environmental oestrogens which we get from farming chemicals and plastics, and which are linked to hormone cancers such as breast and ovarian cancer. Borage- Naturopathic practitioners uses of borage for regulation of metabolism and the hormonal system, and consider it to be a good remedy for PMS and menopause symptoms such as the hot flash. Borage is sometimes indicated to alleviate and heal colds, bronchitis, and respiratory infections in general for its anti-inflammatory and balsamic properties. The flowers can be prepared in infusion to take advantage of its medicinal properties. The oleic and palmitic acid of borage may also confer a hypocholesterolemic effect. Sage Powder- Red Sage is commonly used for hormonal problems and can help to improve irregular and scanty periods, promote stronger menstrual flow. It is particularly useful during the menopause due to its tonic and estrogenic effects. It can help to reduce sweating and hot flushes and generally help the body to adjust to hormonal changes. Red Sage also has oestrogenic action which is partly responsible for hormonal effects, such as reducing breast-milk production.

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Siberian Ginseng- Siberian Ginseng contains choline, a brain chemical for learning and memory retention. This helps improve mental performance and alertness. its antioxidant properties prevent cellular damage due to oxidation to help with heart disease and cancer prevention. Siberian Ginseng contains saponins which inhibit the growth of cancer cells and can convert diseased cells into normal ones. It gives the body a better ability to cope with stress by normalizing body functions and exerting beneficial effects on the adrenal glands (the ones that secrete stress-fighting hormones). Siberian Ginseng has compounds similar to estrogen that help control menopause symptoms like hot flashes. Other properties in this herb help support sexual function by improving sexual performance, sexual desire and fertility in both men and women. Sage- Sage is a perennial herb belonging to the Labiate family and can be found throughout Europe, particularluy in the Mediterranean region. The leave are rich in flavonoids, which gives sage its antioxidant properties, and essential oils, which give its spicy taste and aromatic smell. The essential oils are also thought to help aid digestion. Sage has traditionally been chosen by women, particularly during the menopause. Liquorice Standardised Extract- Licorice root extract may be helpful for treating symptoms associated with premenstrualsyndrome (PMS) and menopause. Studies have shown that the extract has estrogenic activity and may help regulate the estrogen-progesterone ratio. Compounds in licorice root may also prevent heart disease in post-menopausal women3 and have a growth-inhibitory effect on breast cancer cells. Black Cohosh- Black cohosh was effective in controlling menopausal symptoms In a double-blind study comparing the phytoestrogen to placebo and to conjugated equine estrogen, it had favorable estrogenic effects on bone and lipids but no effect on the uterus. "Extracts of the rhizome of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) are traditionally used to treat climacteric complaints," write Wolfgang Wuttke and colleagues from the University of Goettingen in Germany. "Little is known whether [black cohosh] preparations have effects on other than climacteric complaints such as osteoporosis and lipid metabolism." In the study of 97 postmenopausal women, duration of amenorrhea was more than six months and climacteric complaints included having more than three hot flashes per day. In double-blind fashion, the women received daily treatment for three months with commercially available black cohosh (Klimadynona or Menofema, 40 mg), conjugated estrogens (0.6 mg), or placebo. Both black cohosh and estrogen reduced major climacteric complaints significantly more than did placebo (P<.05). Black cohosh improved blood lipid and bonespecific alkaline phosphatase levels. Although estrogen increased endometrial thickness, black cohosh did not. 9(3)

"These data, together with animal experimental results suggest that the [black cohosh] preparation contains one or more phytoestrogens with selective estrogen receptor modulator activity with no effect in the uterus but favorable estrogenic activity in the bone and on serum lipids," the authors write. Animal studies presented by the same group suggested that black cohosh contained phytoestrogens with a mild estrogenic (E2-like) effect on bone, and a stronger effect on fat tissue but not on cholesterol metabolism. In the same animal model, soy extract containing genistein and daidzein was completely ineffective in preventing osteoporosis or improving lipid metabolism. Dong Quai- Dong quai is thought to provide a number of benefits to menopausal women. In particular, dong quai dilates our blood vessels and thereby increases our blood flow. This helps to relieve hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Additionally, this herb aids in regulating the levels of estrogen in your body, which also assists in relieving menopause symptoms. Moreover, dong quai is a mild sedative that will help reduce mood swings and stress related to menopause. L-Tyrosine-Tyrosine is an amino acid produced in the body and is responsible for transmitting vital nerve impulses. It is also necessary in the production of a number of important hormones including thyroxin, which serves an important role in regulating the metabolism, skin health, and mental health. A conditionally essential amino acid, L-Tyrosine is one of the most important elements in maintaining neurotransmitter balance in the brain. Since L-Tyrosine is an important cofactor in the production of the neurotransmitters associated with proper mood, norepinephrine and dopamine, L-tyrosine may be beneficial to those seeking to stabilize their frame of mind. L-Tyrosine can also be useful in promoting nerve and thyroid health. It may also be used as a mild appetite suppressant and added to ones healthy diet and exercise program. It has also been used successfully to increase sex drive.

CONTRAINDICATIONSContraindicated in individuals who are taking anticoagulants.

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