Chasteberry may Enhance Fertility

HEALTH NEWS

Women who have difficulty conceiving may benefit from taking an herbal supplement-a much more inexpensive and less invasive way to induce conception than in vitro fertilization-if the results of a small study are borne out.

Researchers conducted a pilot study involving 30 women ages 24-46 who had attempted to become pregnant for 6-36 months. Some of the subjects had been diagnosed with specific disorders that impaired fertility while others had no explainable causes for being infertile.

While the sample size was small, the trial was randomized and double-blinded. Subjects were given either a placebo or a supplement made of chasteberry, L-arginine, green tea, and numerous vitamins and minerals.
At the beginning of the study, a group of researchers monitored the women’s progesterone levels, basal body temperatures, and menstrual cycles at baseline; these parameters were measured again at three months and six months. After three months, the supplement-treated group had increased progesterone levels and experienced more days in their menstrual cycle during which their basal temperatures were lower than 37 degrees C-both indicators of better ovulation. The placebo group experienced no notable changes in these parameters.

At four months, five of the supplement-treated women became pregnant while none of the women on placebo had conceived. Later on, four women had healthy babies and one woman miscarried. The study’s lead researcher said that she believed that the chasteberry had most likely been the critical factor in helping the women to become pregnant.

Source: Journal of Reproductive Medicine 49:289-293, 2004

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Benefit Women's Health

HEALTH NEWS

Omega-3 fatty acid intake can be a boon to women's health. According to researchers, supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent preeclampsia, postpartum depression, menopausal problems, postmenopausal osteoporosis, and breast cancer, among other ailments in women.

The benefits of omega-3s apparently go even further. "An increased prostacyclin/thromboxane ratio induced by omega-3 fatty acids can facilitate pregnancy in women with fertility problems by increasing uterine blood flow," researchers noted. They added that omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy can also lower the risk of premature birth and increase the length of pregnancy and birth weight. And, taking omega-3s during pregnancy and breast feeding may help the child's brain development.

Researchers also cited that omega-3 fatty acids can have a powerful impact on cardiovascular health. "Because elevated triglyceride levels are associated with cardiovascular disease, especially in women; and because omega-3 fatty acids have powerful effects on triglycerides, women in particular gain from an increased intake of these fatty acids. This is especially important in women receiving hormone therapy, which can increase triglyceride levels."

Source: Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey 59(10):722-730, 2004

Vitamin D and Calcium May Lower Chance of Breast Cancer

HEALTH NEWS

Premenopausal women who get a lot of vitamin D and calcium may cut their risk of breast cancer by almost one-third, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Researchers at the Harvard Medical School concluded: "Findings from this study suggest that higher intakes of calcium and vitamin D may be associated with a lower risk of developing premenopausal breast cancer. The likely apparent protection in premenopausal women may be more pronounced for more aggressive breast tumors."

In the study, researchers collected data on more than 10,578 premenopausal women and 20,909 postmenopausal women age 45 and older who were part of the Women's Health Study. The data included information on what they ate and the dietary supplements they took. Over an average of 10 years, 276 premenopausal women and 743 postmenopausal women went on to develop breast cancer.

Researchers found that premenopausal women whose intake of vitamin D and calcium was high had about a 30% lower risk of developing breast cancer. However, they didn’t find this association for postmenopausal women.

"Calcium and vitamin D may confer protection against breast tumorigenesis," lead researcher Jennifer Lin, Ph.D. said. "However, more studies are necessary to investigate the potential utility of these two nutrients in breast cancer development," she added.

Source: Archives of Internal Medicine 167(10):1050-1059, 2007

It's Women's Month

March is Women's Month!

The VitaminShoppe Co. joins the whole world in celebrating "woman-ness".  Since the first International Women's Day in 1911, March has been set aside to recognized the many contributions of women in history. 

This March, The VitaminShoppe Co. would like to honor our women ~ the mothers, the wives and the sisters whose important roles are immensely indispensable not only throughout history but also in our lives. Our desire is for women all over the world to "love life by living healthy".  In our own simple way, we hope to make a difference in their lives through our timely articles and great savings on supplements that supports women's health.

We encourage you and the women you love to frequent our site more often to get the latest news, information and product promos. Feel free to leave us your comments, thoughts, and opinions. We definitely love to hear from you.

How to Avoid Xenoextrogens

Xenoestrogens are foreign estrogens. They are estrogen mimickers that effect the estrogen in our bodies and can alter hormone activity. Growing evidence implicates xenoestrogens in a wide range of human and wildlife health problems.

There are some 70,000 registered chemicals having hormonal effects, in addition to being toxic and carcinogenic. The synergistic effects of exposure are well documented, but largely unknown. These substances can increase the estrogen load in the body over time and are difficult to detoxify through the liver.

It is now being discovered that these synthetic estrogens are making their way into our bodies and pretending to be our biological estrogen. They are present in our soil, water, air, food supply, personal care and household products.

The following are a list of some every day items containing xenoestrogens:

• Organ chlorines, are one of the largest sources. They are used in pesticides, dry cleaning, bleaching of feminine-hygiene products and the manufacture of plastics.

• Bisphenol-A, a breakdown of polycarbonate, is used in many plastic bottles. It’s found in the lining of many food cans and juice containers.
• Avoid heated plastics, plastic lined items and Styrofoam (microwave, oven, sun), as the polycarbonate escapes

• Use glass, ceramics or steel to store/consume foods and liquids.

• Choose organic produce. Always go organic with thin skinned fruits and vegetables.

• Buy hormone-free animal products (eggs, poultry, meats, dairy). To avoid xenoestrogen injections, supplements, bovine growth hormone.

• A common food preservative in processed foods (BHS: butylated hydroxyanisole).

• Avoid non-organic coffee and tea.

• Use reverse-osmosis filter water or purchase your own filter (drinking and bathing).

• Many creams and cosmetics contain parabens and stearal konium chloride. Choose natural brands (preservatives made with minerals or grapefruit seed extract).

• Most skin lotions, creams, soaps, shampoo, cosmetics use parabens and phenoxyethanol as a preservative. Substances are 100% absorbed into the body. Go natural or organic.

• Phthalates are commonly found in baby lotions and powders.

• Sunscreen can contain benzophenone-3, homosalate, 4-methyl-benzylidene camphor, octal-methoxycinnamate, octal-dimethyl-PABA. Go organic.

• Many perfumes, deodorizers, air fresheners have artificial scents and contain phthalates.

• Most perfumes are petrochemically based.

• Nail polish and removers contain harsh chemicals.

• The birth control pill contains high concentration of synthetic estrogen. Choose a condom or diaphragm gels without surfactants. Use a condom without spermicidal.

• Hormone Replacement Therapy (contains synthetic estrogens) - opt for paraban-free progesterone cream.

• Research ingredients in your pharmaceuticals.

• Dryer sheets, fabric softeners and detergents put petrochemicals right on your skin. Use laundry detergent with less chemicals or use white vinegar and baking soda.

• Be aware of noxious gas that comes from copiers and printers, carpets, fiberboards, new carpets.

• Do not inhaul and protect your skin from: electrical oils, lubricants, adhesive paints, lacquers, solvents, oils, paints, fuel, industrial wastes, packing materials, harsh cleaning products, fertilizers.

• Become educated on: pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, parathion, plant and fungal estrogens, industrial chemicals (cadmium, lead, mercury), Primpro, DES, Premarin-cemeteries, Tagamet, Marijuana, insecticides (Dieldrin, DDT, Endosulfan, Heptachlor, Lindane/hexachlorocychohexan, methoxychlor), Erythrosine, FD&C Red No 3, Nonylphenol, Polychlorinated biphenyls, Phenosulfothizine, Phthalates, DEHP.

The human body is being bombarded with these harmful chemicals every day creating an over burdened liver, weakening the immune system and disrupting the delicate hormonal balance.

More and more evidence exposes Xenoestrogens to be dangerous chemicals that need to be avoided whenever possible. Avoiding these synthetic chemicals and supporting the body through proper liver detoxification, hormone balancing and immune support, will work towards protecting our bodies.

Source: www.energeticnutrition.com, www.endojourney.wordpress.com

Green Tea Extract May Treat Uterine Fibroids

HEALTH NEWS

An extract from green tea may be useful in treating uterine fibroids, a condition that affects 25%-30% of U.S. women, new research indicates.

Fibroids of the uterus, a condition called uterine leiomyoma, can be debilitating, leading to excessive vaginal bleeding, anemia, and fatigue.

Dong Zhang, MD, and colleagues from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., say they've found that an extract of green tea could kill uterine fibroid cells in test tube studies and reduce the size and weight of fibroids in mice.

Their work is published this week in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The researchers injected 20 mice with fibroid cells. Ten mice were given epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) mixed with their water, and 10 mice were given plain water. EGCG is a polyphenol in green tea and is a compound found in vegetables and fruits.

The mice were followed for up to eight weeks. At both four weeks and eight weeks after treatment, fibroid growths were smaller and weighed less. The researchers note that one mouse in the EGCG group had no tumor seen at the end of eight weeks.

In test tube studies with rodent fibroid cells, cells treated with EGCG grew more slowly and were smaller after 48-72 hours.  EGCG also prompted fibroid cell death. The researchers write that it is "highly encouraging that, in our work, a relatively modest dose of EGCG ... that was delivered in drinking water was successful in inducing a dramatic and sustained reduction in fibroid tumor size up to eight weeks after treatment."

The researchers say their study suggests that EGCG "might be particularly useful for long-term use in women with a low fibroid tumor burden to arrest tumor progression and avoid the development of severe symptoms that necessitate major surgery."

Ayman Al-Hendy, MD, PhD director of Clinical Research at Meharry, says in the news release that women who suffer from uterine fibroids may lose time from work, have higher medical bills, and might need advanced treatment in order to become pregnant.

The condition disproportionately affects African-American women, who are four times more likely to have fibroid tumors than women from other ethnic groups.

The researchers say they are now recruiting participants for human trials.

Sources: Reprinted from Medscape News/ News release, Meharry Medical College.

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