Meno-Support Formula™
Comprehensive Nutrition for Women
DESCRIPTION
Meno-Support Formula™, provided by Douglas Laboratories, is a synergistic and comprehensive combination of vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other nutrients, carefully formulated and specifically designed to support a woman’s health through changes that may occur later in life.
FUNCTIONS
Meno-Support Formula™ contains not only the base formula of Douglas Laboratories’ Ultra Specific series that offers intensive support for the healthy functioning of the body in general, but also the Meno-Support Proprietory Blend providing compounds that work specifically to moderate unpleasant changes in the structure and function of a woman’s body that are affected by the hormonal variations during aging.
Black cohosh, an herb with a long history of use in Native American cultures for gynecological disorders, is currently seen as a natural way to normalize hormonal changes and moderate the uncomfortable symptoms that accompany menopause. Black cohosh works largely through the synergistic activity of two types of compounds: phytoestrogens and triterpenes. Phytoestrogens, a class of flavonoids with mild estrogenic activity in the body, appear to have normalizing effects on hormonal levels. In particular, black cohosh extract contains formononetin, an isoflavone phytoestrogen. Triterpene glycosides found in black cohosh extract act synergistically with formononetin to suppress excessive secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH). Sudden increases in LH secretion, which occur in response to declining estrogen levels, appear largely responsible for many problems, such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, irritability, heart palpitations, and headaches. Additionally, the concerted activity of formononetin and triterpenes appears to aid in the regulation of estrogen balance. As with other estrogenic compounds, the active constituents in black cohosh extract may also have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular and skeletal systems of postmenopausal women. As such, black cohosh, as well as other herbs found in the proprietary blend offers a safe and natural method of balancing hormone levels and easing the uncomfortable problems women may encounter.
Ipriflavone, derived from naturally occurring isoflavones, promotes bone density by inhibiting bone resorption.
Numerous studies of postmenopausal women and individuals whose bones are showing signs of demineralization have investigated the benefits of ipriflavone on bone health. Laboratory and clinical studies documented ipriflavone’s positive effect on bone density. Experts agree that ipriflavone appears to directly inhibit osteoclast activity, thereby decreasing bone resorption. Osteoclasts and osteoblasts are two primary types of bone cells. Osteoblasts, the more exterior cells, are responsible for bone mineralization. Osteoclasts, found beneath the osteoblasts, are responsible for bone resorption. When calcium levels in the blood drop, the osteoblasts change shape, allowing the osteoclasts to become exposed and release calcium from the bones to the rest of the body. Scientists suspect ipriflavone may also stimulate osteoblast activity. Since osteoblasts are responsible for laying down new bone, an increase in osteoblast activity would result in increased bone mineralization. This suggests ipriflavone may not only inhibit the breakdown of existing bone, but also encourage the formation of new bone.
In women, bone loss is generally accelerated following menopause. The decline in estrogen levels associated with menopause appears to put women at increased risk for declining bone density and osteoporosis. Ipriflavone, together with adequate calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K, and other key nutrients involved in bone health, offers non-estrogenic protection against excessive bone resorption. Unlike other well-known isoflavones, such as genistein found in soy foods, ipriflavone does not have estrogenic activity and can be safely used in conjunction with natural phytoestrogens or with HRT.
INDICATIONS
Meno-Support Formula™tablets may be a useful dietary supplement for women who wish to support a healthy transition through menopause.
FORMULA (#84073)
Four Tablets Contain:
Vitamin A (Palmitate).................................. 5,000.. I.U.
Beta-Carotene............................................ 15,000.. I.U.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid).......................... 1,000.. mg
Vitamin D-3......................................................... 50.. I.U.
Vitamin E (as Vitamin E Succinate)............. 200.. I.U.
Vitamin K (as Phytonadione).......................... 50.. mcg
Thiamin (as Thiamin HCl)............................... 50.. mg
Riboflavin............................................................ 25.. mg
Niacin/Niacinamide......................................... 120.. mg
Vitamin B-6 (as Pyridoxine HCl/
Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate Complex)............. 25.. mg
Folic Acid........................................................... 800.. mcg
Vitamin B-12 (on Ion Exchange Resin)...... 100.. mcg
Biotin.................................................................. 300.. mcg
Pantothenic Acid (as d-Calcium Pantothenate)............. 150.... mcg
Calcium............................................................. 500.. mg
(from Calcium Citrate/Ascorbate Complex)
Magnesium....................................................... 400.. mg
(from Magnesium Aspartate/Ascorbate Complex)
Zinc (from Zinc Aspartate Complex)............. 20.. mg
Selenium............................................................ 200.. mcg
(Organic Selenium from Krebs† Cycle and Kelp)
Copper (from Copper Amino Acid Chelate)... 2.. mg
Manganese (from Manganese Aspartate Complex).... 15.... mg
Chromium......................................................... 200.. mcg
(Organically bound with GTF activity-low allergenicity)
Molybdenum (from Molybdenum Krebs†)... 50.. mcg
Potassium (from Potassium Aspartate Complex)........... 75.... mg
Choline (from Choline Citrate/Bitartrate)..... 20.. mg
Inositol................................................................. 25.. mg
Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex....................... 100.. mg
PABA (Para-Aminobenzoic Acid)................... 50.. mg
Vanadium (from Vanadium Krebs†).............. 25.. mcg
Boron (from Boron Aspartate/Citrate Complex) 3 mg
Trace Elements (from Sea Vegetation)........ 100.. mcg
Meno-Support Proprietary Blend.................. 500.. mg
Black Cohosh (standardized), Dong Quai, Kelp, Horsetail, Sage, Lemon Bioflavonoids and Ipriflavone
†Krebs=Citrate, Fumarate, Malate, Glutarate and Succinate Complex
SUGGESTED USE
Adults take 4 tablets daily or as directed by physician.
This product is best taken with meals.
SIDE EFFECTS
No adverse effects have been reported.
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light. Keep out of reach of children.
References
Adami S, Bufalino L, Cervetti R, Di Marco C, Di Munno O, Fantasia L, Isaia GC, Serni U, Vecchiet L, Passeri M. Ipriflavone prevents radial bone loss in postmenopausal women with low bone mass over 2 years. Osteoporos Int 1997;7:119-25.
Agnusdei D, Adami S, Cervetti R, Crepaldi G, Di Munno O, Fantasia L, Isaia GC, Letizia G, Ortolani S, Passeri M, et al. Effects of ipriflavone on bone mass and calcium metabolism in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Bone Miner 1992;19 Suppl 1:S43-8.
Benvenuti S, Petilli M, Frediani U, Tanini A, Fiorelli G, Bianchi S, Bernabei PA, Albanese C, Brandi ML. Binding and bioeffects of Ipriflavone on a human preosteoclastic cell line. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1994;201:1084-9.
Cheng SL, Zhang SF, Nelson TL, Warlow PM, Civitelli R. Stimulation of human osteoblast differentiation and function by ipriflavone and its metabolites. Calcif Tissue Int 1994;55:356-62.
Civitelli R. In vitro and in vivo effects of ipriflavone on bone formation and bone biomechanics. Calcif Tissue Int 1997;61:S12-4.
Civitelli R, Abbasi-Jarhomi SH, Halstead LR, Dimarogonas A. Ipriflavone improves bone density and biomechanical properties of adult male rat bones. Calcif Tissue Int 1995;56:215-9.
de Aloysio D, Gambacciani M, Altieri P, Ciaponi M, Ventura V, Mura M, Genazzani AR, Bottiglioni F. Bone density changes in postmenopausal women with the administration of ipriflavone alone or in association with low-dose ERT. Gynecol Endocrinol 1997;11:289-93.
De Leo V, Lanzetta D, Cazzavacca R, Morgante G. [Treatment of neurovegetative menopausal symptoms with a phytotherapeutic agent]. Minerva Ginecol 1998;50:207-11.
Gambacciani M, Cappagli B, Piaggesi L, Ciaponi M, Genazzani AR. Ipriflavone prevents the loss of bone mass in pharmacological menopause induced by GnRH-agonists. Calcif Tissue Int 1997;61:S15-8.
Gambacciani M, Ciaponi M, Cappagli B, Piaggesi L, Genazzani AR. Effects of combined low dose of the isoflavone derivative ipriflavone and estrogen replacement on bone mineral density and metabolism in postmenopausal women. Maturitas 1997;28:75-81.
Gennari C, Adami S, Agnusdei D, Bufalino L, Cervetti R, Crepaldi G, Di Marco C, Di Munno O, Fantasia L, Isaia GC, Mazzuoli GF, Ortolani S, Passeri M, Serni U, Vecchiet L. Effect of chronic treatment with ipriflavone in postmenopausal women with low bone mass. Calcif Tissue Int 1997;61:S19-22.
Gennari C, Agnusdei D, Crepaldi G, Isaia G, Mazzuoli G, Ortolani S, Bufalino L, Passeri M. Effect of ipriflavone--a synthetic derivative of natural isoflavones-- on bone mass loss in the early years after menopause. Menopause 1998;5:9-15.
Lieberman S. A review of the effectiveness of Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) for the symptoms of menopause. J Womens Health 1998;7:525-9.
Liske E. Therapeutic efficacy and safety of Cimicifuga racemosa for gynecologic disorders. Adv Ther 1998;15:45-53.
Nardo F, Scrofani V, Costa G, Bellanca S, Petrovec MM, Clemenza F, Licciardello S. [Therapeutic protocols compared in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporotic disease]. Minerva Ginecol 1994;46:305-15.
Nozaki M, Hashimoto K, Inoue Y, Ogata R, Okuma A, Nakano H. Treatment of bone loss in oophorectomized women with a combination of ipriflavone and conjugated equine estrogen. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 1998;62:69-75.
Ohta H, Komukai S, Makita K, Masuzawa T, Nozawa S. Effects of 1-year ipriflavone treatment on lumbar bone mineral density and bone metabolic markers in postmenopausal women with low bone mass. Horm Res 1999;51:178-83.
Petilli M, Fiorelli G, Benvenuti S, Frediani U, Gori F, Brandi ML. Interactions between ipriflavone and the estrogen receptor. Calcif Tissue Int 1995;56:160-5.
Yochum L, Kushi LH, Meyer K, Folsom AR. Dietary flavonoid intake and risk of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women [published erratum appears in Am J Epidemiol 1999 Aug 15;150(4):432]. Am J Epidemiol 1999;149:943-9.