 This is a great little formula that combines Chinese herbs with a Western Botanical to manage a commonly experienced symptom among women who are going through that uncomfortable time of transition, known as peri-menopause / menopause. Some of the symptoms associated with menopause are:
In Chinese medicine, this naturally occurring transformation represents a relative change between Yin and Yang energies. In the majority of cases, as a woman enters into menopause the Yang energy becomes more predominate (most common presentation), and signs of heat become more prevalent. Other factors which determine the severity of menopausal symptoms depends on the woman’s constitution, her lifestyle, and how she deals with stress. The good thing is, that all these symptoms can be easily managed through herbs, acupuncture and lifestyle changes. Meta-Balance contains 3 well-known and well-researched herbs that have a long history of use in Chinese gynecology, plus an additional Western Botanical used for over a century in Europe for reproductive and gynecology conditions.  1. Dang Gui is sweet, acrid, bitter and warm. Therapeutically, Dang Gui is best known for being a blood tonic that can move blood by improving circulation. It also regulates the menses, alleviates pain, reduces swellings, and for those who suffer from constipation, Dang Gui moves the bowels and moistens the intestines. Medical functions:
 2. Shan Yao, also known as Chinese wild yam, is sweet and neutral. Its therapeutic actions focus mainly on tonifying and stabilizing the Qi & Yin of the Spleen, Stomach, Lungs and Kidneys. It also helps generate fluids (moisten dryness), which is great for women going through these symptoms, because heat usually drys up the fluids in the body. Medical functions:
 3. Sheng Ma, also known as black cohosh, is sweet, acrid and slightly cold. Its therapeutic actions include: releasing the exterior & venting rashes, clears heat & resolves toxicity and raises Yang. This herb’s ability to clear heat and vent it through the exterior of the body makes it very useful for hot flashes and night sweats. Also, it helps regulate the body temperature by balancing the neuroendocrine system (raises Yang). Medical functions:
 4. Chaste Tree Berry, which has been approved by the German Commission E, has a long history of use throughout Europe for gynecological and reproductive conditions such as, PMS, migraines and menstrual irregularities. Chaste tree berry is very similar to the Chinese herb Man jing Zi, which is bitter, spicy and cool. Its therapeutic actions include: Clearing heat and dispersing wind, especially in the Liver channel, and draining dampness. Medical functions:
 This formula also contains a phyto - chemical called heperidin, which is a bioflavinoid found in large amounts in citrus fruits. Hesperidin is primarily used to strengthen capillaries. *It is also known to stabilize vasomotor activity associated with menopausal hot flashes.*
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 Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin (FSV), and should be taken with a meal that contains a small amount of dietary fat, because it attaches to the fat molecules, which transport it through the body. Research shows that vitamin D is better absorbed when taken with the evening meal, which tends to be the largest and fattiest meal of the day. This same study also concluded that serum levels of vitamin D (25(OH)D) were increased by as much as 50% when supplemented in this fashion.[i] The absorption of vitamin D can be inhibited by other FSV, because they use the same metabolic pathways and compete for the same fat molecules[ii]; so it is best to separate dosages by several hours. 
 When you take a drag from a cigarette you are inhaling a mixture of 4700 toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, as well as, a lung full of reactive oxygen species (ROS)[i]. In fact, cigarette smoke contains 1017 oxidant molecules per puff.[ii] These “oxidative forces” roam the system like scavengers attacking biological molecules like lipids, proteins and DNA; inflicting severe damage at the cellular level.[iii] When enough of these free radicals are present (both exogenous and endogenous), they can upset the balance that they normally maintain with the antioxidant defense mechanism, which prevents cellular damage and the genesis of disease.[iv]
More recent research has shed light on the more extensive impairment caused to a particular transcription factor of DNA that functions as the “master regulator” of the antioxidant response. It regulates the expression of genes that are responsible for such things as inflammatory and immune responses, tissue remodeling, carcinogenesis, addictive behavior, etc.[v] One study found increased levels of oxidative stress in the bronchoalveolar in older smokers who had a history of long-term smoking. One of the most important antioxidants in the body is glutathione, which in this study, had been stripped of its oxygen molecules (oxidized) causing (OS) in the lungs.[vi] In other research, data showed that oxidative stress was significantly higher in smokers than non-smokers.[vii] The significance of the damage caused by (OS) due to cigarette smoking is that (OS) is a leading factor in chronic inflammation, and a major contributor in the pathophysiology of many chronic diseases in which smoking is a risk factor, such as, atherosclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.[viii] Related Article: The Two Most Important Antioxidants Smokers Need to Take  It’s very likely that your doctor didn’t tell you this, but if you are taking a stain drug, especially long-term use, it’s very important that you also supplement with CoQ10 (ubiquinol). The reason for this, is due to the mechanism by which statin drugs lower cholesterol. Statin drugs lower cholesterol by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which converts to HMG-CoA and then to mevalonate (from mevalonic acid); which is the precursor to ubiquinone (CoQ10) and cholesterol. Past research demonstrates that by inhibiting the biosynthesis of cholesterol you disrupt the endogenous production of CoQ10,[i] which is a vital nutrient needed for cardiovascular health. In 2003, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a report that warned the public and doctors of statin induced CoQ10 depletion, and doctors should recommend their patients supplement with CoQ10.[ii] If a person, especially over the age of 45, is already CoQ10 deficient and they’re taking a statin, there is a greater cause for concern for developing myocardial dysfunction. CoQ10 deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly congestive heart Failure.[iii]  CoQ10 functions as an antioxidant, so it reduces oxidative stress by attacking pro-inflammatory cytokines. It has been found to inhibit the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and thereby decreasing the risk of atherosclerosis. It also plays a crucial role in the production of cellular energy within the mitochondria, and for this reason is very important for cells with high energy requirements like those found in the heart.[iv] Previous studies have also shown that CoQ10 supplementation increases serum CoQ10 levels that have been reduced by statin drugs,[v] Research has also shown that CoQ10 decreases blood viscosity and reduces hypertension.[vi],[vii] Even though CoQ10 can be found in dietary sources, the quantity of the nutrient is not sufficient to elicit a therapeutic response. Therefore, it is required to supplement orally with a high quality form of CoQ10 available from your physician. There are two forms of CoQ10 available to consumers, ubiquinone and ubiquinol. It’s recommended that you take the ubiquinol form, because it's the form your body uses and is more easily absorbed. One last note, DO NOT supplement CoQ10 on your own, because there are known drug – supplement interactions, and effectiveness is dose dependent; so please consult with your acupuncturist on these matters, or your treating physician.  If you're interested in buying high-quality COQ10 from a reputable company, we recommend Thorne Research. Enjoy quick and convenient delivery of physician grade COQ10 to your home. When you make your first purchase please let them know we sent you by using our referral code: HCP1071726.  Exclusive crystal-free CoQ10 for superior absorption
 Recently, you might have seen something on the news about the New York attorney general’s office conducting an investigation into various retailers selling adulterated supplements. Adulterants are foreign substances that are not listed on the ingredients label, and are considered impure substances that contaminate, or degrade an otherwise pure material. Among the stores being investigated, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Target, and GNC, all received cease and desist letters to discontinue selling supplements contaminated with material not listed on the label. These and other retailers across the U.S., not just in New York; are doing this. It just so happens that the New York attorney general’s office is taking steps to do something about this serious problem, which unfortunately, which has been occurring for decades. In addition, over the past few years there have been more than one instance of this type of supplement fraud involving both a brick and mortar retailer and on-line sellers.  In 2013, counterfeit supplements were being sold on Amazon.com. This was very alarming, because the counterfeit supplements had labels with name brands on them, but were in fact adulterated. The problem with over – the – counter (OTC) supplements or those purchased from an on-line retailer is that, “you don’t know what you’re getting and the products are of low-quality at best.” “Basically, you get what you pay for.” Even though Amazon acknowledged the problem and took steps to try and counteract the counterfeiters, its going to be a very difficult issue to regulate for a couple of reasons. Firstly, there are millions of sellers who sell their products through Amazon, many of whom operate outside the US. Secondly, there is the fact that Amazon makes a lot of money in commissions from the products sold on their website. Just as a side note, you also have to worry about OTC name brands that are intentionally adulterating their products in order to increase their profit margins; sadly this is not uncommon. When you buy these cheaper brands you also have to take into consideration that you’re not getting exactly what you’re paying for. Standardization of ingredients has long been a problem, one thought to be reconciled; but many brands still skimp on the ingredients. One case in point was brought to light in 2013, when an independent study was conducted on 12 different OTC brands of vitamin D. What they found was that the level of vitamin D was most often much lower than what was reported on the label, and sometimes there was a difference between capsules within the same bottle. (ABC News Report, 2013) These are perfect examples of why we always recommend that patients purchase products from the clinic, because we receive our products directly from the manufacturer; no middle guys or unknowns. Of course, I can’t speak for all practitioners, but based on my own integrity, when I recommend a supplement from a brand that we carry, it’s because I’ve done the research and validated the quality of the products, as well as, reputation of the company; and those same products I would personally use myself. Knowing what’s in the product can be very important, especially for those patients out there who have allergic reactions to particular substances. What would happen if you had an allergic reaction to a supplement, but the ingredients weren't accurate? You wouldn't be able to tell the doctor what exactly you took. I hope this has been helpful for those looking to expand there knowledge on what you should know before buying a supplement. If you have any questions, please send me an email and I will be more than happy to respond.  If you're interested in buying high-quality supplements from a reputable company that is committed to clinical research, we recommend Thorne Research.
Enjoy quick and convenient delivery of high-quality supplements to your home. When you make your first purchase please let them know we sent you by using our referral code: HCP1071726.  Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinol-10) CoQ10 is an important lipid-soluble antioxidant involved in cellular functions, the production of cellular energy, and the scavenging of free radicals.[vii] Some studies suggest that there is a decline in CoQ10 after the age of 35-40. Besides aging, smoking can also deplete the body’s stores of CoQ10.[viii] It has been shown that smokers have substantially lower plasma levels of ubiquinol - 10, especially if there is co-morbidity with hyperlipidemia.[ix] More studies are accumulating evidence showing CoQ10 as an effective antioxidant therapy to counteract oxidative stress.[x] No serious side-effects have been reported from the daily supplementation of CoQ10.[xi]  Vitamin C (with bioflavonoids) Vitamin C (ascorbic acid or ascorbate) is a vital water soluble nutrient that our body needs, but is unable to synthesize on its own, and therefore, must be supplemented through dietary sources like fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C plays an important role in the growth and repair of tissues, wound healing, in the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones and teeth, as well as, the production of neurotransmitters in the brain.[i] Another crucial function of ascorbic acid is its antioxidant capability, which protects cells and tissues from oxidative damage. Ironically, not only does smoking cause oxidative stress, it also greatly depletes vitamin C levels due to an accelerated metabolic turnover of ascorbate in smokers compared to non-smokers.[ii] Similar findings occurred in a Korean study also comparing smokers and non-smokers.[iii] According to a Berkeley study, 40% of male smokers have reduced Plasma levels of vitamin C.[iv] Other researches thought these low – levels may have been the result of decreased dietary intake, because smokers tend to eat less fruits and vegetables; but after making adjustments for dietary intakes. They still found lower plasma levels of ascorbate in smokers than non-smokers.[v] [vi] Related Article: Smoking Decreases Antioxidants  Vitamin C with Flavonoids
 Q-Best 100 exclusive crystal-free CoQ10 for superior absorption
Also available as Q10 Plus  If you're interested in buying high-quality supplements from a reputable company, we recommend Thorne Research. Enjoy quick and convenient delivery of pharmaceutical grade COQ10 to your home. When you make your first purchase please let them know we sent you by using our referral code: HCP1071726. |
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