Reassuring News for Women Black Cohosh Receives Safety Rating
Black Cohosh Safe for Menopausal Breast Cancer Patients
Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), found in Propause from Whitewing Labs, has been shown to be a safe alternative for menopausal symptoms among women with a history of estrogen-responsive breast cancer, according to a new study in the November 2002 issue of Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.
Investigating black cohosh's effects on estrogen-dependent mammary cancers in vitro, researchers observed that the herb significantly inhibited breast cancer tumor cell proliferation, including estrogen-induced proliferation. Black cohosh enhanced the chemopreventive effect of the anticancer drug tamoxifen in inhibiting breast cancer cell proliferation.
The researchers conclude black cohosh may be a safe, natural remedy for women concerned about the possibility of breast cancer.
This should reassure all women of the safe efficacy of Propause, the natural women's menopause formula from Whitewing Labs. The formula combines black cohosh with dong quai, ginger, and Siberian ginseng.
More Good News
Meanwhile, more good news for women has to do with red clover, which is found in Osteosafe, also from Whitewing Labs. This formula combines calcium, magnesium, boron, vitamin D, and red clover.
Red clover is rich in phytoestrogens, compounds that function like estrogen in the body. It is one of the few plants that contain all four types of isoflavones. It's also high in bioflavonoids.
Because of all of these characteristics it is thought to help in alleviating a number of perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and other symptoms linked to low estrogen levels.
Red clover is important for keeping the ovaries in good health. "Red clover contains a plant estrogen called coumestrol and one of its medicinal actions is to stimulate the ovaries," says Sandra Cabot, M.D. in Smart Medicine for Menopause. "It is a good 'alkalinizing' herb that is described in herbals as an alterative, which means that it restores healthy body function."
Menopause increases a woman's risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Supplementation with red clover isoflavones has been associated with a sizeable increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, or "good" cholesterol in pre- and postmenopausal women, leading some researchers to believe that these isoflavones may help protect against cardiovascular disease, notes Integrative Medicine. "Interestingly, one recent study found that menopausal women taking red clover supplements experienced a significant improvement in arterial compliance (a measure of the strength and resilience of the arterial walls). Arterial compliance diminishes during menopause and may increase a woman's risk for heart disease."
Red clover has been shown to reduce the rate of bone loss by 50% in pre- and perimenopausal women, note researchers from the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK.
And It Gets Even Better
Osteosafe not only provides calcium, essential for strong bones, but the crucial elements that help to insure adequate intake. Low concentrations of vitamin D are very common among mature women and cause the body to absorb calcium poorly. Vitamin D, also in Osteosafe, is a vital nutrient for healthy bones and teeth.
Magnesium is protective against osteoporosis and heart disease. A recent Israeli study found that supplemental magnesium can lead to bone density increases of up to eight percent; women without the extra magnesium lost bone mass. In spite of the importance of the mineral magnesium to bone growth, only 25 percent of women meet minimal intake requirements. Magnesium's overall relaxing effect on the heart and arteries also promotes healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
It is important to keep in mind that minerals often work together for an enhanced, or concert, effect. In a notable study, for example, 12 women between the ages of 48 and 82 who supplemented their diets with boron daily retained more calcium and magnesium than those who did not, says Forrest H. Nielsen, Ph.D., Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center, Grand Forks, North Dakota. Several women on boron also raised their overall estrogen levels back to the days of their youth.
Late Breaking News
The FDA recently aborted a clinical trial studing the effects of HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) in women suffering from menopausal symptoms. The clinical study was stopped after only four years. The results were very clear that serious health problems occurred in the HRT control group vs the placebo group.
In January 2003, the FDA announced that HRT prescription products will bear the following warning on packages or bottles. "May cause heart attack and/or breast cancer". Maybe its time you discussed there findings with your doctor.
BACK
NEXT
Journal Index
Home
|
ABOUT WHITEWING LABS
