The Last Of Hot Flashes?

85% of women in the United States experience hot flashes at some point as they go through menopause, especially during the first couple of years. It has been calculated that up to 50% of women may continue to experience hot flashes for many years thereafter. The cause of the so called "hot flash" is mostly related to a drop in estrogen levels as a woman goes through the menopausal state. After experiencing a hot flash, many women may develop actual reddening of their skin along with heavy perspiration. Other symptoms of menopause include: impairment of normal sleep cycle, changes in behavior (particularly poor mood), lightheadedness, nausea, rapid heart beat, etc., and a generalized feeling of malaise.

There are certain triggers that seem to precipitate hot flashes, including consumption of caffeine, alcohol, hot and spicy food, hot weather, hot showers, etc. If you follow medical news you realize that artificial hormone replacement has many potential complications. There is, however, something natural you can take that is found in plants called phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are not estrogen; they are plant-based nutrients, otherwise known as isoflavones, which mimic the effects of estrogen. One of the main isoflavones is a chemical called genistein. In the September/October 2006 edition of the journal Menopause, researchers reviewed eleven studies on the effects of isoflavone ingestion and incidence of hot flashes. Five of the studies reviewed involved 177 treated participants who were given more than 15 mg of genistein per supplement. Each one of these five studies reported a statistically important decrease in hot flash symptoms. Isoflavones can also help support healthy bones, mood and cardiovascular function among other benefits.

Here's a superior new phytoestrogen product called PhytoEstrogen Ultra VitaCost Supplements . Each two soft gels contain 750 mg of borage seed oil, 600 mg of evening primrose oil and 150 mg of Novasoy, standardized to 40% isoflavones. Novasoy is the finest quality standardized isoflavone extract from ADM (Archer Daniels Midland Company) with high levels of genistein. The 60 mg of elemental isoflavones this product provides is considered the most effective level based on clinical studies. There are also numerous studies that prove the wide ranging benefits of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) both borage oil and evening primrose oil provide. These include healthy skin, joints, immune function and many other health benefits. This comprehensive product also contains standardized wild yam extract, organic flax seed oil, black cohosh and dong quai. Dong quai has been shown to help balance estrogen levels, whereas wild yam extract may help balance natural progesterone levels to promote enhanced mood. I have seen a lot of phytoestrogen products on the market, but none this complete. Sixty soft gels cost less than $14.