Stages of Menopause
 Perimenopause
• Irregular, short menstrual periods
• Uncomfortable symptoms include hot flashes, insomnia,
irritability, and backaches
• May last four to five years or longer
 Menopause
• 12 months after the last menstrual
period
• Production of progesterone and eggs
stops
• Normally happens between the ages of 45
and 55
 Postmenopause
Symptoms








Irregular menstrual periods
Hot flashes
Irritability, depression, anxiety
Insomnia, poor sleep quality
Palpitations, night sweats
Forgetfulness (in some women)
Vaginal dryness
Headaches, vaginal infections, joint
aches and pains
Risks of Hormone Replacement
Therapy
 Gynecological tumors
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that
long-term hormone replacement therapy increases
incidence of gynecological tumors by 20%
• Risks surface within 2 years of use
 Osteoporosis
• Risk of osteoporosis increases by
26%
• Prone to fractures in the hips, wrists
and spine
Risks of Hormone Replacement
Therapy
 Cardiovascular disease
• Heart disease risk increases by 80%
• Heart attack risk increases by 29%
 Stroke
• Risk of stroke increases by 41%
 Endometrial growth
 Deep vein thrombosis
Animal Estrogens vs.
Phytoestrogens
Cancer-causing
Animal
Estrogens

Phytoestrogens

Cardiovascular
disease
Stroke




Osteoporosis


Phytoestrogens
 Regulate the immune system
 Do not cause cancer
 Inhibit cancer cell growth and activate cancer cell
apoptosis
Phytoestrogens
 By filling estrogen receptor sites on cells,
phytoestrogens help to prevent cancer and reduce
risk of estrogen-dependent cancers
• Coumestrol can reduce incidence of borderline ovarian
tumors
• In a study of 51,823 women:
Those with high lignan intake had
17% lower breast cancer risk
• In a study of 383 women:
High genistein levels in blood were
related to lower breast cancer risk
Strategies for Menopause
 Quit smoking
 Avoid alcoholic drinks
 Reduce fat intake
• Fats store excess estrogens
 Minimize refined food intake
 Lower blood pressure
 Exercise, aerobics
Strategies for Menopause
 Nutritious plant foods
• Phytoestrogens
• Vitamin C—tissue repair and iron absorption
• Fiber—helps to regulate estrogen levels
 Menopausal women are 50% less
efficient than adolescents in absorbing
calcium
• Calcium—soy, broccoli etc.
Nutritious Plant Foods
 Chinese Yam
 Sage
 Raspberry
 Ginkgo
 Licorice
Chinese Yam
 May lower blood pressure and protect the heart
 Boosts immunity; the polysaccharide YP-1 may help
to increase T-cells
 RDPS-I polysaccharide helps to fight tumors
 Dioscorin has antioxidant effects
that protect against free radical
damage
 Protects the nervous system
Sage
 Relieves hot flashes and night sweats
 Rich in phytoestrogens
 Nourishes the immune system
 Antioxidant activity
 Anti-inflammatory
Raspberry
 Rich in phytoestrogens
 Relieves hot flashes
 High antioxidant content
• Contains anthocyanins and vitamin C
• 50% higher antioxidant activity than strawberries and
10 times the antioxidant activity of
tomatoes
 Raspberry extract has been found
to suppress cervical cancer cell
production
Ginkgo
 Rich in phytoestrogens
 Terpenoids help to reduce risk of cardiovascular
disease
 Helps to enhance immunity
 Anti-cancer
Quercetin—may inhibit estrogenactivated cancers such as bladder,
breast and ovarian cancers
Ginkgo
 Helps to prevent osteoporosis
 Antioxidant activity
Flavonoids help to fight free radical damage
 Empowers memory
Is ginkgo toxic?
 Contains ginkgotoxin (4’-Omethylpyridoxine)
 Only toxic in large amounts
 Mostly due to overconsumption of ginkgo by children
 Relieved by vitamin B6
 Toxicity of plant varies with
season
 Toxicity higher in ginkgo
harvested at the end of July and
beginning of August
Licorice
 Phytoestrogens
Beta-sitosterol’s estrogenic activity is 1/400th of the
strongest form of estrogen in the body
 Supports adrenal gland function and enables
adrenally produced hormones to work for
longer periods
 Supports hormonal
balance
Licorice
 Relieves menopausal symptoms
•
•
•
•
Hot flashes
Fatigue
Irritability
Memory problems
 Antioxidant effects—glabridin and glabrene
 Immune-enhancing
Are phytoestrogens safe for men?
Research shows that phytoestrogens:
 Will not alter testosterone levels
 Have no effect on sperm concentration, count or
motility
Are phytoestrogens nutritious for men?
Research shows that phytoestrogens:
 Are beneficial to health
 Can help to prevent breast and prostate cancer
Can men consume these plant foods?
Chinese Yam, Sage, Raspberry, Ginkgo, Licorice
These natural and wholesome plant foods aid health
in many ways including:




Boost memory
Counter stress
Improve immunity
Antioxidant activity to protect against free radical
damage
Chinese Yam
 Helps to lower blood pressure and protect the heart
 Boosts immunity by enhancing T-cell proliferation
 Anti-tumor
 Antioxidant activity protects
against free radical damage
 Neuroprotective
Sage
 Boosts immunity
 Antioxidant activity
Raspberry
 High antioxidant activity
– 50% higher than strawberries
– 10 times that of tomatoes
Ginkgo
 Boosts memory
 Improves immunity
 Anti-cancer
 Antioxidant activity protects
against free radical damage
 Lowers risk of cardiovascular
disease
Licorice
 Antioxidant activity
 Boosts memory
 Improves immunity
MENOVIE
Chinese Yam
Sage
Raspberry
Ginkgo
Licorice
Recommended intake:
3 capsules, two to three times daily
MENOVIE
Suitable for men and women
MENOVIE
+
Nutrifresh
+
Aromantic
MENOVIE
+
O-SEED
+
ESSERENE
MENOVIE
+
Aromantic
+
G-ART
MENOVIE
+
VEGAPLEX
+
STRESGON