Femmerol contains eleven micronized herbal extracts that support overall hormonal balance. This preparation was shown in a double-blind, placebocontrolled study to be extremely effective in relieving numerous common symptoms associated with menopause. The preparation includes bayberry, black cohosh, capsicum, damiana leaf, ginger root, kudzu root extract, licorice root, red clover extract, red raspberry, sage, and valerian root.
Chasteberry (also called vitex). Femaprin is manufactured by Nature’s Way from dried chasteberry. Best results are obtained with continuous use. Available from Emerson Ecologics (800-654-4432 or 603-656-9778; www.emersonecologics.com). This herb is also available in tincture form from many natural food stores.
New Life Formula for Women is made by Sweet Annie Herbs from eleuthero, black cohosh, angelica, blessed thistle, licorice, nettle, red clover, red raspberry, wild yam, sarsaparilla, dong quai, lemon balm, yellow dock, skullcap, and vitex. Available from Emerson Ecologics (800-654-4432 or 603-656-9778; www.emersonecologics.com).
Women’s Phase II (Vitanica) is a combination of dong quai, licorice root, burdock, motherwort, and wild yam. This formula was developed by Dr. Tori Hudson, a naturopathic physician and professor at Bastyr University of Natural Health Sciences. It has been tested clinically and found to help relieve many common menopausal symptoms. Available from Emerson Ecologics (800-654-4432 or 603-656-9778; www.emersonecologics.com).
Soy
Information regarding soy can be obtained at the website www.soyfoods.com. The intent of this site is to promote the consumption of soy foods throughout the world by providing reliable, scientifically based information about health benefits, taste-tested recipes that include nutritional information, and other resources for consumers, dietitians, journalists, scientists, and soy foods companies.
Revival Soy products
Available from Physicians Laboratories (800-738-4825 or 336-722-2337; www.revivalsoy.com). The following soy products are available.
Revival Soy. Of all the numerous soy products on the market, my favorite is Revival, a meal replacement drink that contains 20 g of protein and ~160 mg of soy isoflavones per serving, the equivalent of six servings of soy. Gram for gram, Revival Soy contains more isoflavones than soy milk, for example, simply because it is formulated from whole, genetically pure soybeans to be six times more concentrated than most other soy products. This healthy, protein-based meal replacement won’t cause weight gain and has many benefits for both men and women.
Revival Digestive Enzymes. If you experience any flatulence (gas), constipation, or bloating with soy, this supplement has fifteen times the strength of the leading retail digestive enzyme.
Revival Soy Bars are made from crunchy, puffed soy crisps blended with marshmallow, chocolate chips, or peanuts. Flavors include Low-Carb Chocolate Peanut Paradise, Low-Carb Chocolate Raspberry Zing, Low-Carb Autumn Apple Frost, Peanut Chocolate Buddy, Peanut Pal, Chocolate Temptation, Apple Cinnamon Celebration, and Marshmal-low Krunch. One serving equals six servings of regular soy foods, providing ~160 mg soy isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, glycitein), ~1,000 mg saponins, and 20 g medical-grade soy protein. All Revival Soy Bars are free of hydrogenated oils and meet the FDA’s criteria for reducing cholesterol and risk of heart disease. Regular bars have from 28 to 32 g of carbohydrates each, depending on the flavor, and Low-Carb bars have from 6 to 8 g net carbs each.
DHA/Raw Chia Seed
See Chapter 7 Resources.
Flax
The Flax Council of Canada (204-982-2115; www.flaxcouncil.ca) endeavors to provide general flax facts of interest to consumers, as well as more specialized information for nutritionists, dietitians, food producers, manufacturers, and flax growers.
FiProFlax (ground flax), cold-milled by Health from the Sun from premiumquality flax with a high oil content, is available from Emerson Ecologics (800-654-4432 or 603-656-9778; www.emersonecologics.com).
Whole flax seed from Cathy’s Country Store is organically grown golden flax. Available from Emerson Ecologics (800-654-4432 or 603-656-9778; www.emersonecologics.com).
Dakota Flax Gold. This is an organic flaxseed grown at Heintzman Farms (888-333-5813 or 605-447-5823; www.heintzmanfarms.com) in South Dakota. A “starter kit” is available that consists of three 1-pound bags of flaxseed and an electric grinder.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture, used alone or in conjunction with herbs, is very effective for relieving hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, anxiety, restlessness, emotional instability, moodiness, menstrual cramps, and excessive bleeding. It’s ideal to get a referral to an acupuncturist from your health care practitioner, but if you can’t find one this way, contact the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (866-455-7999 or 916-443-4770; www.aaaomonline.org).
Chinese herbs. Your best option for obtaining Chinese herbs is to see a good practitioner of Chinese medicine, but if that’s not an option where you live, you can purchase them from Quality Life Herbs (207-842-4929; www.qualitylifeherbs.com). Quality Life Herbs is run by my personal acupuncturist, Fern Tsao, and her daughter Maureen, both experts in the use of Chinese herbs. All the Chinese herbs mentioned in this book, as well as numerous others, are available through mail order from this company. Their products meet the highest standards possible for effectiveness and quality. I have been referring patients with a wide variety of conditions to Fern for many years, with excellent results.
Dong quai (also known as dang gui, tang kuei, or angelica). Dong quai is the foundation of almost all menopausal formulations, including Joyful Change (see below), and can be taken indefinitely. Sometimes called angelica root, it can be found in many herb shops and health food stores. It is also processed into capsules, tablets, and tinctures, although I would avoid alcohol-based tinctures. The recommended dosages for most over-the-counter dong quai preparations are probably too low to be helpful. Increasing the dosage to four or five of the tiny pills twice per day is unlikely to cause any problems, but it’s always best to be under the supervision of a certified herbalist or Chinese medicine practitioner if you’re going to do this. Dong quai is available in a few different preparations from Enzymatic Therapy (800-783-2286 or 920-469-1313; www.enzy.com). (Enzymatic Therapy products are also widely available at health food stores.)
Joyful Change. I highly recommend this formula, which contains dong quai, because it addresses menopausal symptoms at their root and helps rebalance the body. Dosage is three tablets two times per day before meals. Available from Quality Life Herbs (207-842-4929; www.qualitylifeherbs.com).
Yunnan Bai Yao (also known as Yunna Pai Yao). This formula stops or slows excessive bleeding but should not be used long-term. It also doesn’t address the root cause of the problem. Still, it is very helpful for temporarily controlling the flooding, or heavy bleeding, so common in perimenopausal women. Recommended dosage: one or two capsules four times daily. Available from Quality Life Herbs (207-842-4929; www.qualitylifeherbs.com).
Xiao Yao Wan Plus (sold as Soothing Flow). This is a Chinese nutritional supplement that helps women with PMS, menstrual cramps, and perimenopausal symptoms. This supplement contains Paeonia, a well-known female tonic. Recommended dosage: four or five tablets four times per day, beginning two weeks before period is due and continuing through first day of bleeding. It may take up to three months to experience optimal results. Available from Quality Life Herbs (207-842-4929; www.qualitylifeherbs.com).
Chapter 7: The Menopause Food Plan
Dietary Supplements
COENZYME Q10
Recommended dose: 10–100 mg/day. USANA’s CoQuinone 30 contains 30 mg coenzyme Q10 and 12.5 mg alpha-lipoic acid per capsule. Available through USANA (888-950-9595 or 905-264-9863; www.usana.com). I also recommend Pure Coenzyme Q10 by Verified Quality; available from Emerson Ecologics (800-654-4432 or 603-656-9778; www.emersonecologics.com).
OMEGA-3 FATS
Recommended dose: 1,000–5,000 mg total of DHA and EPA per day. Made from algae, Neurom
ins is my first choice for taking this oil in supplement form (see below).
OptOmega. This blend of organic, cold-pressed flax, sunflower seed, pumpkin seed, and extra-virgin olive oils provides a high ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids that supports cardiovascular health, improved immune function, mental acuity, and healthy skin. Available through USANA (888-950-9595 or 905-264-9863; www.usana.com).
Neuromins, manufactured by Nature’s Way, is available from Emerson Ecologics (800-654-4432 or 603-656-9778; www.emersonecologics.com).
Life’s DHA
(800-662-6339 or 410-740-0081; www.lifesdha.com)
Martek sells Life’s DHA brand all-vegetarian DHA capsules in both 100 mg and 200 mg strengths online. The website also gives a list of various supplements containing Life’s DHA oil, many of which can be purchased in your local health food store.
BiOmega contains both DHA and EPA derived from cold-water fish. Available through USANA (888-950-9595 or 905-264-9863; www.usana.com).
Vital Choice Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Oil (800-608-4825 or 360-293-9525; www.vitalchoice.com). Wild salmon is preferable to farmed fish because it’s much healthier and safer. Vital Choice is a particularly good source of wild salmon and wild salmon oil (in 1,000 mg softgels that provide 600 mg of total omega-3 fatty acids, including 460 mg of EPA and DHA in a three-capsule serving).
Raw Chia Seed
China (Salvia hispanica L.) has the highest concentration of omega-3 fats (in the healthiest ratio to omega-6 fats, 3:1) than any other botanical source. It’s also high in fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. The omega-3 fats it contains are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which the body converts to DHA and EPA. One of the advantages of chia over flaxseed is that it doesn’t have to be ground, and the antioxidants in it prevent it from going rancid. I recommend Mila brand, a proprietary blend of chia, from Lifemax (which is available from numerous distributors you can find on the Internet). For additional information about chia from University of Arizona researcher and chia expert Wayne Coates, Ph.D., visit www.azchia.com/chia_questions_answers.htm.
MULTIVITAMINS/MINERALS My top pick in multivitamins is the USANA HealthPak or USANA Essentials, manufactured by USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (888-950-9595 or 905-264-9863; www.usana.com).
I also like Super Multi-Complex, manufactured by Verified Quality, a comprehensive vitamin-mineral-trace element supplement containing twenty-eight essential nutritional ingredients, including copper and natural beta-carotene. Available from Emerson Ecologics (800-654-4432 or 603-656-9778; www.emersonecologics.com).
PROANTHOCYANIDINS
These powerful antioxidants are found in grape pips and pine bark. Recommendations: start with 1 mg per pound of body weight per day, divided into three doses. After two weeks, cut back to 40–80 mg per day.
Proflavanol C100 is available from USANA (888-950-9595 or 905-264-9863; www.usana.com).
OPC Pine Gold and OPC Grape Gold, manufactured by Primary Source, are available from Emerson Ecologics (800-654-4432 or 603-656-9778; www.emersonecologics.com).
Many excellent brands of OPCs are also available at pharmacies and natural food stores. Probiotic supplements provide gastrointestinal nutritional support by augmenting naturally occurring intestinal bacteria. The intestinal microecosystem typically carries up to four hundred strains of bacteria. From the point of view of intestinal health, a product that provides bacteria for multiple probiotic “niches” makes sense. These flora may become depleted in a number of ways, including antibiotic therapy, poor diet, and disease. Probiotics are useful for individuals bothered by intestinal gas and bloating, and may also be used when taking an antibiotic to prevent yeast infection. Be sure to take a probiotic whenever you’re on antibiotics, but take them at different times of the day, so the antibiotic won’t kill off the new friendly bacteria. Continue to take the probiotic for a week or so after you’ve finished your course of antibiotics. That way you’ll be much less likely to get a yeast infection or GI upset from the antibiotic.
I recommend PB 8 Probiotic, manufactured by Nutrition Now. PB 8 does not contain sugar or FOS, and does not require refrigeration to maintain its potency, as most probiotics do. Take as directed on the bottle. PB 8 is available at health food stores. Gastro Flora, manufactured by Nutricology, is available from Emerson Ecologics (800-654-4432 or 603-656-9778; www.emersonecologics.com).
VITAMIN C Vitamin C is vital to many body systems and processes, especially immune health, skin health, and cardiovascular function.
Pure Vitamin C Caps by Nutricology contain 1,000 mg vitamin C per capsule. Available from Emerson Ecologics (800-654-4432 or 603-656-9778; www.emersonecologics.com).
Digestive Aids
ENTERIC-COATED PEPPERMINT OIL
Most of the studies performed have utilized enteric-coated peppermint oil at a dosage of 0.2 ml twice daily between meals.
Pepogest, manufactured by Nature’s Way, is available from Emerson Ecologics (800-654-4432 or 603-656-9778; www.emersonecologics.com).
Peppermint Plus, manufactured by Enzymatic Therapy (800-783-2286 or 920-469-1313; www.enzy.com). Enzymatic Therapy products are widely available at health food stores.
DEGLYCYRRHIZINATED LICORICE (Glycyrrhiza glabra) (DGL)
Please note that the cortisol-like activity of this herb may cause a problem in people prone to hypertension. If you are taking licorice root, your blood pressure should be monitored to ensure that it stays stable.
Gaia Herbs Licorice Root Alcohol-Free (also called Licorice Root Glycerite) is a tincture available from Emerson Ecologics (800-654-4432 or 603-656-9778; www.emersonecologics.com). Wise Woman Herbals Licorice Solid Extract is also available from Emerson Ecologics. Recommended dose for the solid extract is ¼ to ½ teaspoon, two to three times a day.
Licorice Root capsules are manufactured by Nature’s Way to provide 450 mg deglycyrrhizinated licorice with a guaranteed natural potency of not more than 6.5 percent glycyrrhizin. Recommended dose is one to two capsules three times daily with water at mealtimes. Available from Emerson Ecologics (800-654-4432 or 603-656-9778; www.emersonecologics.com).
ADDITIONAL DIGESTIVE SUPPORT
SeaCure. Manufactured by Proper Nutrition, SeaCure is a concentrated fish protein that is gaining increasing recognition for its nutritional benefits in a wide range of disease conditions. Recommended for all digestive dysfunctions, e.g., Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcerative colitis. Also helpful after chemotherapy for nutritional support and immune system support. It is certified to be free of mercury and other heavy metals. Recommended dose is three capsules in the morning and three capsules in the afternoon. Available through Emerson Ecologics (800-654-4432 or 603-656-9778; www.emersonecologics.com).
Swedish Bitters. This tonic, which is excellent for stomach upset, is widely available in health food stores in liquid or capsule form. Sweetish Bitters Elixir by Gaia Herbs is available from Emerson Ecologics (800-654-4432 or 603-656-9778; www.emersonecologics.com).
Digestive Enzyme. This product from USANA (888-950-9595 or 905-264-9863; www.usana.com) encourages more complete digestion and absorption of nutrients. This particular formulation also contains spirulina, a nutrient-rich blue-green algae that supports the body’s natural detoxification processes.
JOINT SUPPORT
Procosa II. This product from USANA (888-950-9595 or 905-264-9863; www.usana.com) contains a higher amount of glucosamine sulfate as well as turmeric (a natural form of COX-2 inhibitor), a combination not found in any other joint health products.
Chapter 8: Creating Pelvic Health and Power
See Chapter 5 Resources for information on progesterone.
General Pelvic Health
Women’s Health Foundation
(773-305-8200; www.womenshealthfoundation.org)
Women’s Health Foundation is a national resource on pelvic wellness issues. Founded by Missy Lavender in 2004, the foundation connects, educates, and empowers women struggling with a variety of pelvic health issues. The organi
zation facilitates pelvic health research and develops one-of-a-kind community-based programs and events (such as the Total Control fitness and education program and an educational fund-raising event called Sex, Chocolate, and Your Pelvic Floor) sponsored by YMCAs, hospital wellness centers, and other community organizations.
Fibroids
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Fibroid Network
(www.fibroidnetworkonline.com) The mission of the United Kingdom–based Fibroid Network is to promote education, information, support services, and research on fibroids.
They maintain an international database of current research on fibroids and recommended doctors, hospitals, and natural health practitioners providing treatment for fibroids. Information is provided (printed and online) in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and German.
Fibroid Treatment Collective
(866-362-6463 or 310-208-2442; www.fibroids.com)
A medical group of fibroid experts dedicated to curing fibroids with minimally invasive therapy, the Fibroid Treatment Collective in Los Angeles performed the very first uterine fibroid embolization in the United States. The organization’s website has a wealth of information about fibroids and their treatment.
The Wisdom of Menopause Page 79
