If you suffer from hot flashes, night sweats, or any other symptoms of menopause, you should check out Nature's Sunshine's Flash Ease! Numerous symptoms are associated with the onset of menopause, including:
- hot flashes
- spontaneous perspiration
- insomnia
- anxiety
- panic attacks
- depression
- mood swings
- palpitations
- poor memory and concentration
- frequent urination
- bone loss
- pain with intercourse
Research into menopause indicates long term health risks including heart disease and osteoporosis. However, according to an article in American Family Physician, the most common symptom, experienced by up to 75% of menopausal women, is hot flashes—the number one reason women seek hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Although many studies have shown HRT to be effective in relieving hot flashes, and in reducing bone loss and the risk of heart disease, the New England Journal of Medicine reports women receiving HRT to have a 46% higher risk of developing breast cancer over women NOT receiving HRT, concluding that "the trade-offs between risks and benefits should be carefully assessed." Similar findings were achieved by a study published in Lancet.
Fortunately, a number of natural plant alternatives to HRT have been shown to effectively reduce menopausal symptoms by providing compounds known as phytoestrogens. These substances function similarly to the hormone estriol, the weakest type of estrogen and the only one linked to a reduced risk of breast and endometrial cancer.
Phytoestrogens, by mimicking estriol activity, have been shown to inhibit breast cancer. A recent study in Lancet found women with a high intake of phytoestrogens exhibited a substantially reduced risk of breast cancer.
BLACK COHOSH is perhaps the most thoroughly studied of phytoestrogen-rich plants. In Germany, black cohosh has been used for decades as a German Commission-approved treatment for menopausal symptoms. In fact, a commercial extract of black cohosh is the most widely used natural alternative to HRT, with an estimated 1.5 million women worldwide have used this herbal preparation since 1956.
In 1997 alone, over 10 million monthly units were sold in Australia, Germany and the U.S. Even the American Medical Association (AMA) featured an article confirming the safety and effectiveness of black cohosh as a natural remedy for menopausal symptoms.
German researchers conducted an open study using a standardized extract of black cohosh with over 700 menopausal women. Over 80% of the women experienced definite improvements in their symptoms within 6 to 8 weeks, with most participants reporting noticeable benefits within 4 weeks. After 6 to 8 weeks, a large percentage of women achieved complete relief of menopausal symptoms which included headache, heart palpitations, hot flashes, nervousness/irritability, profuse perspiration, ringing in the ears, and vertigo.
In addition to its estrogenic effects, research indicates black cohosh may help menopausal symptoms by reducing the pituitary's secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH). Elevated blood levels of LH, exhibited during menopause, are believed to contribute to the hot flashes, insomnia, and depression many women suffer.
What makes Flash Ease unique?
Each Flash Ease tablet contains 80mg of a concentrated extract of black cohosh root and rhizome. Flash Ease also contains Dong Quai root and is designed to provide a full 10 hours of time-released support.
DONG QUAI is widely recognized for its role in relieving female complaints such as menstrual irregularities and menopause. According to research published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine, dong quai contains phytoestrogens and is believed to be effective for relieving hot flashes due to its estrogenic activity and its ability to dilate blood vessels and reduce blood pressure.
NOTE:
Pregnant and lactating women, as well as those currently taking HRT, should consult their healthcare professional before using this product.
This information is provided by NaturesFinestNutrition.net
References:
1 Alschuler ND, L. "Menopause: Easing the Change.” Nutrition Science News; August 1997.2 Colditz, GA, et al. "The use of estrogens and progestins and the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.” New England Journal of Medicine; 1995, 332 (24), 158993.3 White MD, L. "Let Herbs Keep You Healthy.” Delicious! Magazine, March 1998.4 Ingram, D, et al. "Casecontrol study of phytooestrogens and breast cancer.” Lancet;1997, 350 (9083), 990994.5 "Menopause: Herbs That Can Ease the Transition.” Herbs For Health; 1996, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2933.6 "Black Cohosh Gives Relief For Menopause.” Alternative Medicine Digest; 1996, Vol. 13.7 Murray ND, M. and Pizzorno ND, J. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, 2nd Ed.Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1998.8 Murray, Michael T. The Healing Power of Herbs. Rocklin.CA: Prima Publishing, 1995.9 "Natural herb shown in clinical trials to relieve menopausal symptoms.” Reuters; July 10, 1998.10 Duker, EM, et al. "Effects of extracts from Cimicifuga racemose gonadotropin release in menopausal women and ovariectomized rats.” Planta Medica; 1997, 57 (5), 420424.11 Friedrich Ph.D., J. "Understanding Premenstrual Syndrome.” Nutrition Science News; June 1996.