The dietary needs of your body changes as naturally as your life changes. It's important to be familiar with your body and aware of its changing needs especially for women experiencing peri-menopausal or menopause itself.

Estrogen, friend or foe?

What is estrogen and why do we care that much about it?

It's the female hormone produced by the ovaries and is responsible for ovulation. Hormone production slows as women near menopause. When that happens, women may experience such symptoms as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and emotional changes.

Many women choose to supplement their lowering estrogen levels using several difference methods. One is by the use of HRT in the form of prescription drugs. This has been a favorite of the medical community for nearly 50 years until in 2002 and 2003 it was finally revealed as both ineffective and unsafe. The preferred method now is now a diet rich in phytoestrogens and taking a phytoestrogens supplement. Phytoestogens are plant sources of estrogen and if levels are high enough are capable of exerting estrogen like effects.

Phytoestrogens can take the place of estrogens produced by the body in many instances. For example, estradiol produced by the body is the most toxic of the three forms of estrogen. Estradiol may want to enter the tissues of the breast but cannot because there is a phytoestrogen already there.

Potent Sources of Phytoestrogens?

• Soy Isoflavones - are an excellent source of the phytoestrogens daidzein and genistein. Using them in their natural glycosidic form as done in EstroFem, make them more bioavailable to the body.
  
  
  
• Black Cohosh - Also known as Squaw Root, Black Snake root, Rattle weed, Black Cohosh is a North American forest plant long used by the American Indians to help relieve hot flashes associated with menopause. Black Cohosh is a phytoestrogen and may suppress the luteinizing hormone from the pituitary. The luteinizing hormone, along with the follicle stimulating hormone, causes the ovaries to produce both estrogen and progesterone, which if unbalanced may cause your body to react uncomfortably.
  
  
  
• Mexican Wild Yam - a unique phytoestrogens, both estrogen and progesterone can be a by-product of this plant.
  
  
  
• Red Clover Blossom - One of the six highest estradiol binding phytoestrogens. This means that the phytoestrogens in the Red Clover Blossom take precedence in the reception line, therefore the estradiol must go elsewhere!
  
  
  
• Panax Ginseng - Perhaps the most famous herb in China, Panax ginseng is a phytoestrogens.
  
  
  
• Dong Quai - Long used in Asia as a "female remedy", dong quai exerts estrogen like effects.
  
  
  
• Essential Fatty Acids act as precursors to the prostagladins. Within the group of essential fatty acids are omega-6 and omega-3. Since we are able to obtain most of our omege-6 through ordinary diet, it is the omega-3 that we need to supplement.
  
  
  
• Borage Oil - An essential fatty acid and an omega-3, Borage Oil is a key component of the hormone like substances called prostagladins.
  
  Prostagladins are present in many tissues including menstrual fluid. They are extremely active in keeping our hormones in balance. In addition, they affect the cardiovascular system, smooth muscles, and stimulate the uterus to contract.
  
  Prostagladins come in three different types. Type 1 and 3 are considered "good". They improve blood flow and reduce inflammation. Type 2 is considered "bad" as it promotes platelet stickiness.
  
  
  
• Licorice Root - contributes to heart and digestive health, and inhibits prostaglandin type 2.
  
  
  
• Vitamin B-6 - is involved in the formation of red blood cells and prostagladins. It's considered critical for proper hormone balance.

EstroFem contains all of the ingredients listed above in a highly bioavailable foirmulation and in the amounts scienftific research recommends. In additon, it has the omoega-3 the body requires, as well as different sources of phytoestrogens to help keep a woman's body in balance. EstroFem also contains special ingredients designed to help tone blood vessels, such as Motherwort, and ease feelings of tension such as Vitamin-B-12 and Folic Acid, which work together as a tam. EstroFem is available in a convenient 120 count capsule bottle.