What we know about the science behind the women's formulas Propause and Osteosafe is actually pretty interesting. Research on black cohosh goes back to as early as 1932 when an experimental study revealed its strong effect on circulation and respiration. In 1944, further studies demonstrated that black cohosh stimulated ovarian function and normalized irregularities of the menstrual cycle. Weight of the ovaries and quantity of the corpus lutea (yellowish structures that develop in the ovary on the site where an ovum or egg is released and that secrete progesterone) clearly increased. This showed that black cohosh's traditional folk usage in normalizing women's hormone levels and aiding them through menopause definitely had a basis in science.
The Menopause-Pituitary Connection
For some time, it was thought that black cohosh exerted its effect via pituitary gland regulation. The pituitary is a pea-sized gland in the center of the brain that secretes hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), that regulate women's estrogen and progesterone production.
The problem is that as women enter their menopausal years and the ovaries' estrogen production naturally decreases, the pituitary tries to compensate by producing very high levels of FSH in an effort to jump-start the ovaries back into estrogen production.
The whole thing becomes an endocrinological mess. That's because high levels of FSH in the blood, along with low estrogen, are associated with menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, heart palpitations and drying and thinning of the vagina.
Fortunately, the chemicals in black cohosh seem to beneficially moderate the body's secretion of pituitary hormones, thus normalizing the pituitary-gonadal axis. In other words, helping to create hormonal harmony.
There is another way that black cohosh and dong quai, red clover and fennel, which are part of the Propause and Osteosafe formulas, seem to work.
This is a fascinating area of women's health wherein we now know that plants, like many other living creations, contain sex hormones. These have very beneficial effects on women's health without the detrimental damaging toxicity of medical estrogen. It is really an important breakthrough in women's health, and many medical doctors have discussed plant estrogens and are looking more closely at their use.
Modern research shows black cohosh, dong quai, red clover and fennel also contain these plant-based hormones (phytoestrogens), and that these chemicals bind to estrogen receptor sites on estrogen-sensitive tissues in the body (such as the breasts and vaginal tissues) because they have a similar molecular shape to estrogen.
However, to call these plants a "natural estrogen" and leave it at that is to do a great disservice to both the plant and the most proven form and unique form of the plant found in the Propause and Osteosafe formulas Whitewing Labs recommends for women going through menopause.
That's because the estrogenic effect of these plants is weak compared to other sources of plant estrogens (such as soy). It certainly does not match the strength (and potential toxicity ) of medical estrogen, so it could be misleading to call it that.
These phytoestrogen constituents, if they are to be compared with estrogens at all, have effects like estriol, which is thought to be the safest of the estrogens "not associated with increased risk of breast,
ovarian or endometrial cancers," according to the late herbal expert Varro Tyler, dean emeritus of the Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences.
 For all Women
In any event, both the Propause and Osteosafe formulas go well beyond a simple estrogenic effect.
Propause helps women to get through perimenopause and menopause by relieving hot flashes, mood swings and night sweats. It also aids in vaginal lubrication.
Osteosafe aids women by promoting strong bones and fighting off osteoporosis.
Both formulas work well and are safe, natural alternatives.
Propause and Osteosafe offer women important protection against bone loss and waning hormones.
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