Menopause symptoms: Common but avoidable

Every woman experiences her own unique set of menopausal symptoms, which can include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, heart palpitations, vaginal and urinary changes, and decreased memory and concentration. Most experts agree these symptoms are caused by low or fluctuating estrogen levels, which throw everything off kilter. But that doesn’t mean a difficult menopause is unavoidable.

Between 75-85% of American women going through “the change of life” report experiencing menopausal hot flashes. Yet only about 10% of Japanese women do. Why the discrepancy? It’s all in the diet. Japanese women eat several servings of soy a day, which naturally contain anti-hot-flash substances called isoflavones. American women don’t.

Natural Hot Flash Remedies and Menopause Treatments from nutraOrigin

MenoBalance Supplement
Isoflavones help you get control of hot flashes – but they also provide relief for a whole range of symptoms. How? These phyto-nutrients have the remarkable ability to imitate the biological activities of female hormones. That means that even if your own natural levels of estrogen are plummeting, isoflavones can trick your body into thinking it has enough.

Soy is well-known for its natural content of isoflavones, but most of the research studying isoflavones for menopause relief has been performed on red clover. nutraOrigin formulated MenoBalance with a high-potency blend of isoflavones from red clover and kudzu. The formula additionally protects cardiovascular health, with patented Actifolate folic acid and resveratrol; supports bone integrity, due to the synergistic activity of isoflavones and vitamin D; and provides protection to hormone-sensitive tissues, with rosemary and turmeric.

Black Cohosh Essentials Supplement
Scientists have conducted numerous studies demonstrating the efficacy of black cohosh for relieving the discomforts of menopause, with minimal or no side effects. In fact, one double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found the herb was 47% more effective than conjugated estrogen at beating menopause hot flashes! Cohosh has also been shown to help alleviate headaches, heart palpitations, and nervousness and irritability associated with menopause. The evidence is so strong that the German Commission E (similar to our FDA) has approved black cohosh as a treatment for menopause.

nutraOrigin’s Black Cohosh Essentials features 80 mg of standardized black cohosh – four times the amount seen in weaker extracts – for maximum effect. It also includes lemon balm and motherwort, which help reduce stress and anxiety.

Nutra Multi Iron-Free Multivitamin
Studies show older women are more likely to be deficient in key vitamins like B1, B2, B5, folic acid and D than younger women. That’s why a multivitamin like nutraOrigin’s Nutra Multi Iron-Free is so important. It delivers all the necessary vitamins and minerals needed to create a foundation of health – including 500 mg of calcium – but leaves out the iron, since too much can be harmful to menopausal women.

The experts at nutraOrigin recommend taking all three formulas together for maximum synergistic effect.

Most of the diseases that we associate with women’s health such as vaginitis, thrush, breast cancer, endometriosis, cervical cancer, infertility, hot flashes, fatigue and irritability are all in some way confirmed to be, or suspected to be linked to female hormones. Simple vitamins and nutritional supplementation can help women prevent and treat these problems and with the application of clinical knowledge concerning drug-supplement interactions, these ingredients can be used alongside drugs to greater effect and less risk.

The ingredients below are focused on promoting normal hormonal function as well as preventing or diminishing common problems during menstruation. Traditional botanicals and essential vitamins have been combined for maximum synergistic effect.

• Chaste Tree is traditionally used for irregularities of the menstrual cycle, premenstrual complaints, and mastodynia.

• Flaxseed provides substances which have been shown to have a beneficial effect on the hormonal cycle.

• Dong Quai is often considered the female Ginseng and is a traditional herb for women’s health. Historically, it has been demonstrated to be a good uterine tonic, and have estrogenic activity.

• Iron and Vitamin A levels are often low in women with menorrhagia.

• Vitamin C increases Iron absorption, preventing tiredness due to Iron deficiency.

• Vitamin C and Bioflavonoid Mix may strengthen capillaries in the uterus, preventing the rupture and cause of additional bleeding.

All the ingredients are available separately at your local health store, vitamin shop or online resource.

However, it is worth noting that you should check to find out if any of the ingredients interact with your prescription drugs. You should first and foremost tell your doctor and pharmacist what you are taking. A free drug vitamin interaction checker is available athrough this link to Mitamins, a company that specialises in Custom Vitamins Herbs and Minerals.

Unfortunately, there is not a high level of understanding in the medical or pharmaceutical world into herbs and nutraceuticals although some research has been conducted into the popular herbs such as St. John’s Wort, Ginseng, Gingko, Cayenne, Saw Palmetto and Valerian. Vitamins are better classified but not studied.

A dietician may have better knowledge than your doctor but there are also a number of sources of information concerning prescription drug-dietary supplement interactions on the internet.