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Can Black Cohosh Keep Women Cool?

June 14, 2011 by 37 Comments

As I reasonable man, I don’t profess to know everything.  One of the things I lack direct knowledge about, is how it feels to go through menopause.  However, judging from the experiences of my female family members, it must be hell to go through.

There is something called Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) women can get from their doctors.  While HRT is usually successful, for some women it may increase the risk heart disease and breast cancer.  Thus, many women have turned to alternative, natural methods to alleviate their menopausal symptoms.  One of these alternatives is a herb named black cohosh.  How does black cohosh work?  Can it actually help relieve menopausal symptoms?

North American Indians have used the black cohosh plant as a medicinal for various health ailments, ranging from rheumatism to general malaise.  Since, black cohosh as attained a kind of “rock star” status, as an alternative to traditional  HRT.  Researchers aren’t exactly sure how this herb works.  Some believe black cohosh effects hormonal levels, but it’s action is not clear at this time. Is black cohosh really effective in relieving menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness?  Unfortunately, the findings from clinical studies are mixed.

For example, researchers of the Group Health Center for Health Studies in Seattle, conducted a Herbal Alternatives for Menopause Study in 2006.  The study compared several different HRT regimens, in women aged 45 to 55.  Each woman had suffered hot flashes and/or night sweats daily, prior to the study.  Researchers found no significant difference in the number of hot flashes experienced between women receiving black cohosh only, or in combination with other herbs, and that of women receiving a placebo, after one year.  However, the women in the group receiving traditional HRT, had 4 fewer hot flashes daily, as compared to the placebo group after one year of study.

A meta-study of 9 clinical trials, published in the January 2010 issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, found that black cohosh help reduce hot flashes by 26% in menopausal women.

Even with the mixed clinical results for black cohosh, researchers are concerned about the varying content and quality of black cohosh products.  A review of 11 black cohosh products, found 4 instances where supplement makers used a cheaper species of black cohosh from Asia, instead of the variety found in North America.

A good primer on black cohosh can be found on the Mayo Clinic site.  Use it as a starting point for considering the use of this herb.

The Bottom Line:  Menopausal women must carefully weigh the options for alleviating symptoms in this phase of their lives.  Consultation with a doctor is a must, because your medical history and lifestyle issues have to be considered before any regimen begins.  Black cohosh appears to be a toss-up, but only working with your doctor can determine if it’s right for you.

It’s your life, live well.

twitt Can Black Cohosh Keep Women Cool?

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Filed Under: Dietary Supplements, Herbs & Botanicals, Natural/Organic, Womens Health Tagged With: , , ,

The Lazy Way To Lose Weight! (Part 2)

May 24, 2011 by 237 Comments

It seems nearly all diet pills claim superiority at helping you lose weight.  Yet, each brand also claims to work differently, in helping you achieve your weight loss goal.  Let’s look at how diet pills work.

The majority of diet pills claim to work in one of four ways.  Most diet pills work as:

  • Appetite Suppressants;
  • Fat Burners;
  • Fat Blockers; or
  • Carbohydrate Blockers.

Appetite suppressants affect your central nervous system, making you feel less hungry.  Basically, these pills disrupt your body’s metabolism.  Doctors prescribe appetite suppressants as a treatment for obesity, usually for a short period of 12 weeks or less.  These pills tend to lose their effectiveness after a couple of weeks.

Fat burners work on the stored fat in your body.  They work on the theory of breaking down and metabolizing the energy stored in your body’s fat, as well as the fat in the food you eat.  Both actions are thought to help you lose weight and keep it off.

Fat blockers operate by binding to the fatty acids in the food you eat.  This action supposedly helps dietary fat pass through your digestive system,  helping you to lose weight.  Fat blockers often claim you can eat whatever you desire, and still lose the extra pounds.  The primary danger with fat blockers is that they also hamper proper absorption of fat-soluble vitamins by your digestive system.  Thus, important vitamins such as A,D,E, and K are hindered from performing their functions in your body.  Also, absorption of  beta-carotene is affected as well.

Carbohydrate blockers prevent starchy foods such as bread, pasta, and potatoes, from absorbing in your digestive system.   The carbohydrates just pass through your digestive tract, and are eliminated through your bodily waste.

So, each of the primary methods by which diet pills work, have pros and cons in their usage.  Also, diet pills may have adverse interactions with prescription medications you are taking.  These concerns make it important for you to consult your doctor before taking any diet pills.  Your total health status must be considered before using any of these products.

I found the major issue with diet pills of any type, is that they are short-term solutions to obesity problems.  Most of these pills should only be used for 6 months or less, according to their makers.  Additionally, most brands fail to tell you that diet modification and exercise, are still necessary for you to effectively lose weight.

One of the better articles I’ve seen on the effectiveness and safety of diet pills, can be found at the MayoClinic.com site.  I suggest you read this article as part of you homework, before taking any diet pills.

My next post will cover a great, total approach to losing weight.  It’s a must read item!  See ya then.

It’s your life, live well.

twitt The Lazy Way To Lose Weight! (Part 2)

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Filed Under: Dietary Supplements, Herbs & Botanicals, Mens Health, Quality & Safety, Vitamins, Weight Loss, Weight Management, Womens Health

The Lazy Way To Lose Weight! (Part 1)

May 20, 2011 by 36 Comments

Let’s be honest.  If you have the choice between a hard way to achieve a goal, and an easier path, which would you choose?  It’s not a trick question. You know the path of least resistance wins hands down every time!  This explains the allure of diet pills as the answer for weight loss, the lazy way.  Obviously, many other members of the public agree, as evidenced by the billions of dollars spent each year in the U.S. on these “magic” pills.  However, does the possibility of weight loss match the hype?  Can these pills work wonders, or place your life in danger?  My research indicates the effectiveness of diet pills is often difficult to substantiate.

There are three main categories of diet pills.  Each category has different regulatory requirements.  The main types of diet pills are:

  • Prescription;
  • Over-The-Counter (OTC);
  • Herbal Diet Supplements.

Prescription diet pills are only available by doctor’s approval.  These types of of pills are heavily regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and require approval before they can be sold to the public.  An example,  is the weight loss drug marketed under the brand name Xenical.

Over-The-Counter (OTC) drugs have been found to be safe for use without doctor supervision.  They can be found at food stores, drug stores and the Internet.  For example, Alli is the OTC version of Xenical, but is less potent than the prescription brand.  However, the FDA has issued recalls over the last several years, for OTC products containing undeclared or tainted ingredients.

Herbal Diet Supplements are usually labeled as “natural” products, because they are derived from plants. These diet pills are considered food products by the FDA, and are available without a doctor’s prescription.  Some examples of herbals would include: chitosan, cascara, and glucomannan.  WebMD.com has a great article describing many herbal supplements.

With all these pills to choose from, and all the advertising claims of being the “best”, it makes it darn hard for you to figure out which pill can help.  My next post will take a look at how diet pills work, and their effectiveness.

It’s your life, live well.

twitt The Lazy Way To Lose Weight! (Part 1)

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Filed Under: Dietary Supplements, Herbs & Botanicals, Mens Health, Natural/Organic, Weight Loss, Weight Management, Womens Health

Who Else Wants Supplements?

March 16, 2011 by 93 Comments

According to a recent study, many doctors take supplements and recommend them to their patients.  The study, published in Nutrition Journal, surveyed physicians from several specialties.  The 900 specialists surveyed included orthopedists, cardiologists and  dermatologists.

Researchers found the multivitamin was the supplement taken most often by the specialists.  Other favorites included omega-3/fish body oil and botanical supplements, such as green tea.

The primary reasons physicians took supplements were for health and wellness.  Are you taking supplements?

twitt Who Else Wants Supplements?

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Filed Under: Dietary Supplements, Herbs & Botanicals, Mens Health, Natural/Organic, Vitamins, Womens Health Tagged With: ,