Andropause - 90 Vegicaps

HEALTHY ANDROPAUSE™
The Healthy, Safe, Effective Alternative to Testosterone Therapy
The most comprehensive natural supplement to support a healthy Andropause


Ingredients 
Tribilus Terrestris 185 mg
Epimeduum Sagittum 100 mg
DHEA 12.5 mg
L Arginine 100 mg
Propriatary Blend: Eurycoma Longifolia, Muira Pauma, Maca, Panax Ginseng, Nettle Root, Bioperine 385 mg
Other Ingredients: Veg capsules, Maltodextrin. Magnesium Stearate 

 

 

Directions 
As a dietary supplement, take 1 to 3 capsules up to twice a day. Normally, one bottle lasts one month.
If you are 40 years old or more and have a few of these symptoms (see below), your levels of testosterone are probably low and andropause has started. 

 

 

Quantity
90 vegetarian capsules

 

Andropause Symptoms
Nervousness - Irritability - Fatigue - Depression - Decreased or absent libido - Decrease or absent potency - Memory and concentration decreased - Fear - Numbness and Tingling - Tachycardia, palpitations & dyspnea - Unnecessary worry - Loss of Interest

The existence of andropause is recognized by some of the best researchers in medical science, including the international medical community.

In fact, a recent World Health Organization (WHO) report, states that “male androgens progressively decline with age.” The study tested androgen levels at age 25 and by age 70, androgen levels were only 10 percent of what they were during youth.

 The impact of decreasing androgens is known as andropause, also called “male menopause” or PADAM – Partial Androgen Deficiency in the Ageing Male. It is a normal part of ageing, although, for some men it is accompanied by a gradual and undesired decline in their sexuality, mood and overall energy. Sometimes it can even expose men to more serious health risks. As with women, andropause in males begins at a time when life often offers some of its greatest rewards. This site has been designed to arm you with actionable information about andropause – what causes it and what you can do about it. And if you are going through andropause, we hope this information will help you maintain a healthy and active quality of life throughout your middle years.

By the time men are between the ages of 40 and 55, they can experience a phenomenon similar to the female menopause, called andropause. Unlike women, men do not have a clear-cut signpost such as the cessation of menstruation to mark this transition. Both, however, are distinguished by a drop in hormone levels. Estrogen in the female, testosterone in the male. The bodily changes occur very gradually in men and may be accompanied by changes in attitudes and moods, fatigue, a loss of energy, sex drive and physical agility.

 

What’s more, studies show that this decline in testosterone can actually put one at risk for other health problems like heart disease and weak bones. Since all this happens at a time of life when many men begin to question their values, accomplishments and direction in life, it’s often difficult to realize that the changes occurring are related to more than just external conditions.

 

A gradual hormonal decline
Unlike menopause, which generally occurs in women during their mid-forties to mid-fifties, men’s “transition” may be much more gradual and expand over many decades. Attitude, psychological stress, alcohol, injuries or surgery, medications, obesity and infections can contribute to its onset.
Although with age, a decline in testosterone levels will occur in virtually all men, there is no way of predicting who will experience andropausal symptoms of sufficient severity to seek medical help. Neither is it predictable at what age symptoms will occur in a particular individual. Each man’s symptoms may be also different.

 

Is this a new phenomenon?
Yes and no. In fact, andropause was first described in medical literature in the 1940’s. So it’s not really new. But, our ability to diagnose it properly is. Sensitive tests for bioavailable testosterone weren’t available until recently, so andropause has gone through a long period where it was underdiagnosed and undertreated. Now that men are living longer, there is heightened interest in andropause and this will help to advance our approach to this important life stage which was identified so long ago.

 

Increased diagnostic capability
Another reason why andropause has been underdiagnosed over the years is that symptoms can be vague and can vary a lot among individuals. Some men find it difficult to admit that there’s even a problem. And often physicians didn’t always think of low-testosterone levels as a possible culprit. So these factors often led doctors to conclude that symptoms were related to other medical conditions (i.e. depression) or were simply related to ageing and often encouraged their patients to accept that “they were no longer spring chickens”.

 

This situation is changing. New blood testing methods are available and there is an increased interest in men’s’ aging among medical researchers. So much attention is being focused on andropause that major efforts are underway to quickly share emerging scientific information with the international medical community Causes

 

Starting at about age 30, testosterone levels drop by about 10 percent every decade. At the same time, another factor in the body called Sex Binding Hormone Globulin, or SHBG, is increasing. SHBG traps much of the testosterone that is still circulating and makes it unavailable to exert its effects in the body’s tissues. What’s left over does the beneficial work and is known as “bioavailable” testosterone.

 

Andropause is associated with low (bioavailable) testosterone levels. Every man experiences a decline of bioavailable testosterone but some men’s levels dip lower than others. And when this happens these men can experience andropausal symptoms.

 

These symptoms can impact their quality of life and may expose them to other, longer-term risks of low-testosterone. It is estimated that 30 percent of men in their 50s will have testosterone levels low enough to be causing symptoms or putting them at risk.

 

Importance of testosterone
Testosterone is a hormone that has a unique effect on a man’s total body. Testosterone is produced in the testes and in the adrenal glands. It is to males what estrogen is to females.

 

Testosterone helps to build protein and is essential for normal sexual behavior and producing erections. It also affects many metabolic activities such as production of blood cells in the bone marrow, bone formation, lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, liver function and prostate gland growth.

 

Impact of low testosterone
When there is less testosterone available to do its work, the testosterone target-organ response decreases, bringing about many changes. There is great variability in testosterone levels among healthy men so not all will experience the same changes to the same extent. But typical responses to low bioavailable testosterone levels include:

 - Low sex drive
- Emotional, psychological and behavioral changes
- Decreased muscle mass
- Loss of muscle strength
- Increased upper and central body fat
- Osteoporosis or weak bones and back pain
- Cardiovascular risk


Apart from the impact that andropause may have on your quality of life, there are other longer-term and silent effects of andropause that are harder to track: increased cardiovascular risk and osteoporosis.

 

Andropause & osteoporosis
In a healthy individual, bone tissue is constantly being broken down and rebuilt. In an individual with osteoporosis, more bone tissue is lost than is regenerated. We’ve all heard of women suffering from weaker bones, or osteoporosis, after menopause. In men, testosterone is thought to play a role in helping to maintain this balance. Between the ages of 40 and 70 years, male bone density falls by up to 15 percent. Unfortunately, with advancing age and declining testosterone levels, men, like women, seem to demonstrate a similar pattern of risk for osteoporosis. What’s more, approximately one in eight men over age 50 actually have osteoporosis.

 

The incidence of hip fractures rises exponentially in ageing men, as it does in women, starting about 5 to 10 years later. In Canada, 20—30 percent of osteoporotic fractures occur in men. The incidence of fractures has been increasing in men, whereas it seems to be stabilizing in women – likely due to their lifestyle changes, calcium supplements and hormone replacement therapies (HRT). Low bone density puts one at risk of frequent fractures, associated pain, and in many cases, loss of independence. Wrists, hips, spine and ribs are most commonly affected. Two important consequences of osteoporosis are often seen as a slow but progressive rounding of the shoulders as well as a loss of height and back pain. Particularly devastating seem to be hip fractures, up to one third of patients never seem to regain full mobility.

 

Cardiovascular risk*
It is now well accepted that women’s risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) increases after menopause. Estrogen replacement therapy seems to reverse this trend.

 

New evidence suggests that a similar phenomenon occurs in men as their testosterone levels diminish with age. While research is not as complete as for women, the clinical findings point to an association between low-testosterone levels and an increase in cardiovascular risk factors in men.

 

*A cause and effect relationship has not yet been established in large clinical trials. Further clinical research is needed into this important area of study.

 

Andropause is often underdiagnosed because symptoms can be vague and can vary a lot among individuals. Some men find it difficult to admit that there’s even a problem. And often physicians didn’t always think of low-testosterone levels as a possible culprit.

 

So these factors often lead doctors to conclude that symptoms were related to other medical conditions (i.e. depression) or were simply related to ageing and often encouraged their patients to accept that “they were no longer spring chickens”.

 

But this situation is changing. New blood testing methods are available and there is increased interest in men’s’ ageing among medical researchers. In fact, so much attention is being focused on andropause that major efforts are underway to quickly share emerging scientific information with physicians worldwide.

 

Do I Have Andropause?
Andropause is a hormone-related condition of low-testosterone. It usually occurs in males aged 40 and onwards. If you have few of these symptoms you probably have andropause.

 

- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Decreased or absent libido
- Decrease or absent potency
- Memory and concentration decreased
- Fear
- Numbness and Tingling
- Tachycardia, palpitations & dyspnea
- Unnecessary worry
- Loss of Interest

Understanding Risks
There are several conditions in which you should never use testosterone replacement therapy. These include:
- Breast cancer (in males)
- Prostate cancer

In some other cases testosterone replacement therapy may not be right for you. If one of the conditions below is applicable to you, your doctor will decide whether (in your specific case) testosterone replacement therapy is the right solution.

 

- Liver disease
- Heart or blood vessel disease
- Edema (swelling of face, hands, feet, or lower legs)
- Enlarged prostate
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)

To help your doctor determine your best treatment plan, you should also discuss the following:

- If you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to androgens or anabolic steroids.
- If you are an adult male who plans to have children; high doses of androgens may cause infertility.
- If you are bedridden.
- If you are now taking any other prescription or nonprescription (OTC) medicine, especially anticoagulants (blood thinners)

Testosterone Replacement Therapy
In many instances, testosterone replacement in men with andropause can be highly effective and beneficial. It’s not for every man, of course, even those who show symptoms on the previous quiz may have other health problems at the root of it all. Still you should discuss with your doctor if you would be a good candidate for testosterone replacement therapy.

 

What should I expect from testosterone replacement?
In various clinical studies, very good responses to testosterone have been reported for men with low-testosterone and they include:

 

- Improvement in mood and sense of well-being
- Increased mental and physical energy
- Decreased anger, irritability, sadness, tiredness, nervousness
- Improved quality of sleep
- Improved libido and sexual performance
- An increase in lean body mass, a decline in fat mass
- An increase in muscle strength (hand grip, upper and lower extremities)
- Potentially, a decrease in the risk of heart disease


With testosterone therapy, one’s attitude improves, reinforcing self-esteem and self-confidence at work, as well as an increased energy at home and in social activities. Most men will feel more vigorous, experience improved energy levels, mood, concentration, cognition, libido, sexual performance and an overall sense of well-being. These effects are usually noted within 3 to 6 weeks. Other potential benefits include maintenance or improvement in bone density, improved body composition, muscle mass and muscle strength, as well as improvement in visual-spatial skills.

 

Lifestyle
Of course, any ongoing strategy to reduce the symptoms and risks of andropause should incorporate lifestyle approaches such as optimal diet, regular exercise, stress-management and the reduction of tobacco and alcohol intake.

 

Testosterone level decreases steadily with age. Studies show that the level of testosterone is at its peak (100%) around age 20, and ends at only 20%-50% at age 80, with an average decline of 2% yearly. In fact, many men’s testosterone levels diminish to below the deficient threshold of 350 ng/ml at age 50 to 60. Normally, 500-1,100 ng/ml of testosterone should be in the blood. Therapeutic levels range around 1500ng/ml (Dr. Suhaimi Muhammad, Institut Teknologi MARA, Pahang Branch).

 

For women, the ovaries are responsible for 40% of the body’s production of testosterone. As testosterone levels decline, women will experience fatigue, weight gain, low physical and mental energy, and lack of sexual desire. While HRT often addresses low Estrogen production, often low testosterone and progesterone production is not supplemented.
 

 Eurycoma Longifolia, commonly known as Tongkat Ali in Malaysia and Pasak Bumi in Indonesia, is a shrub-tree found growing wild along the hilly slopes of the rainforest of Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia. Tongkat Ali (Ali’s walking stick) has been commonly prescribed in Malay and Asli’s herbal medicine as a febrifuge and a remedy for intermittent fever (malaria), ulcer, and as a aphrodisiac for men. In Indonesia, the plant is called “Pasak Bumi” and the roots are used for traditional treatment of dysentery and tertian malaria. In Vietnam, the plant is called “Cay Ba Binh”, the tree that cures a hundred diseases. Longjack is in the Superior Class of herbs having powerful and numerous benefits in the system.

 

Primary Benefits
- Improve testosterone production
- Improve physical and mental performance
- Enhance energy level, endurance, and stamina
- Reduce mental fatigue and exhaustion
- Tone skin and muscle
- Improve immune system


Tribulus Terrestris
Tribulus Terrestris is an herb also known as the puncture vine, and has been used for centuries in Europe as a treatment for impotence and as a stimulant to help enhance sexual drive and performance. On the athletic front, this potent herb has been studied and observed to enhance LH (luteinizing hormone) production and raise testosterone levels. The increased testosterone levels by Tribulus Terrestris will have a positive effect on strength and stamina. Atheletes are using Tribulus Terrestris to help ensure their own natural levels of testosterone are at a normal level at all times. Tribulus Terrestris does not work the way prohormones such as Androstenedione and DHEA. It is a natural stimulant of LH. In fact, a person that has used a prohormone, should use Tribulus Terrestris on the “off cycle” to help their own testosterone levels return to normal, which is what the prohormone will suppress. On the “off cycle”, many men feel weak, tired, and moody because their own natural testosterone levels have been suppressed. Tribulus Terrestris will help alleviate these symptoms.

 

Clinical studies in Bulgaria showed Tribulus Terrestris improved reproductive functions, including increased sperm production and testosterone levels in men. Among women, Tribulus Terrestris increased the concentration of hormones including estradiol, with testosterone being very slightly influenced, thereby improving reproductive function, libido, and ovulation.

 

What does it do?
- Increases the natural level of testosterone.
- Increases strength and stamina
- Alleviates tired, weak moody feelings on the “off cycle” of a prohormone
- Stimulates sexual drive and performance
- Increases sperm production
- Improves reproductive function, libido, and ovulation

Epimedium Sagittum may not sound serious, but in reality, it could provide a serious boost to those who need it. An all-natural phyto-aphrodisiac, it’s based on the latest scientific research into male performance and well-being.

 

Epimedium Sagittum
Epimedium Sagittum is a traditional botanical medicine used in China and Japan. Although this herb (which also goes by the names Yin Yang Huo, Inyokaku, and Herba Epimedii, Horny Goat Weed) has a history of traditional use for disorders of the kidneys, joints, liver, back and knees, its principle use is as an aphrodisiac.

 

According to one herbal author, Epimedium Sagittum has testosterone-like effects. It stimulates sexual activity in both men and women, increases sperm production, stimulates the sensory nerves, and increases sexual desire. Epimedium Sagittum’s aphrodisiac effects has been verified in both animal and human research. Mice treated with a Epimedium Sagittum preparation produced “apparent effects on the improvement of sexuality”. It was also shown to improve sperm producing capability. Since Epimedium Sagittum has been traditionally used for kidney disease, it’s interesting that research has demonstrated a sexual potentiation effect and improved quality of life in patients with chronic renal failure who were given Epimedium Sagittum.

 

Research has shown that Epimedium Sagittum significantly increases testosterone in mice. This certainly appears to be the herb’s mechanism of action, although Epimedium Sagittum may have more than one. For example, it has been established that sexual arousal is linked to the activity of cholinergic neurotransmitters. However, an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inactivates cholinergic neurotransmitters within 1/500 of a second. As it turns out, research shows that Epimedium Sagittum is capable of inhibiting AChE. Such an inhibition may support higher levels of the key cholinergic neurotransmitters associated with sexual arousal. In addition, research has shown that Epimedium Sagittum has anti-fatigue effects and helps prevents adrenal exhaustion.

 

Horny Goat Weed (epimedium): Will it make you horny, too? by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

 

Epimedium is a pungent ornamental herb found in Asia and the Mediterranean. The Chinese call epimedium Yin Yang Huo, which loosely means “licentious goat plant.” Legend has it that the name horny goat weed came from a herder who noticed his goats becoming more sexually active after eating the plant. Supplement companies have adopted the provocative name by which it is known in the U.S.

 

Horny goat weed was named epimedium because it is similar to a plant found in the ancient Asian kingdom of Media, now a part of Iran. Epimedium is a genus of many related plant species and some are used for medicinal purposes, including Epimedium sagittatum, Epimedium brevicornum, and Epimedium koreanum. Although epimedium has a history of traditional use for disorders of the kidneys, joints, and liver, its principle use in the United States is as an aphrodisiac and to combat fatigue.

 

What the research says about epimedium
Very little research has been published in the Western medical literature regarding this plant. Our Chinese study investigated the therapeutic effect of epimedium sagittatum on 22 patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis. Twelve patients with hemodialysis were served as controls. Epimedium sagittatum had a sex enhancing effect and improved their quality of life.

 

Epimedium mechanism of action
The exact way that epimedium works remains unclear. Animal studies have shown that it may influence levels of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine and reduce cortisol levels. The leaves of epimedium sagittatum contain a variety of flavonoids, icariin, sterols and an alkaloid called magnaflorine. It’s quite possible epimedium sagittatum influences several aspects of human sexual biochemistry. Icariin is thought to help with erectile function.

 

Muira puama
Muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) is a Brazilian shrub with a long history in South American folk medicine as an aphrodisiac and sexual tonic for promoting virility and treating impotence.

 

Human studies have substantiated the use of muira puama for improving libido and treating erectile dysfunction. In one study conducted at the Institute of Sexology in Paris, France under the supervision of Dr. Jacques Waynberg, 262 male patients experiencing lack of sexual desire and the inability to attain or maintain an erection were treated with 1 to 2.5 grams of muira puama extract a day.

 

Following two weeks of treatment, 51 percent of those suffering from erectile dysfunction reported significant improvement. Additionally, 62% of the patients suffering from loss of libido reported that the muira puama extract had, in the words of the researchers, “a dynamic effect.” A second study conducted by Dr. Waynberg included 100 men who complained of impotence, loss of libido and sexual difficulties due to “asthenia,” described as fatigue, loss of strength, or debility. Following treatment with Muira puama, 66% of the men reported a significant increase in frequency of intercourse. Of 46 men complaining of loss of desire, 70% reported that treatment with muira puama increased libido.

 

Another important measure of sexual function, stability of erection during intercourse, was improved or restored in 55% of the patients. Other benefits reported included a reduction of fatigue, improved sleep, and increased morning erections. Treatment with muira puama was much more effective in cases with the least psychosomatic involvement. Of the 26 men diagnosed with common sexual asthenia without noticeable sign of psychosomatic disorder, the treatment was effective for asthenia in 100% of cases, lack of libido in 85% of cases, and for inability of coital erection in 90% of cases.

 

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a hardy perennial plant cultivated high in the Andes Mountains, at altitudes from 8,000 to 14,500 feet. It has one of the highest frost tolerances among native cultivated species. Maca has a low-growing, mat-like stem system, which can go unnoticed in a farmer’s field. Its scalloped leaves lie close to the ground and it produces small, self-fertile, off-white flowers typical of the mustard family to which it belongs.

 

The part used is the tuberous root, which looks likes a large radish (up to 8 cm in diameter) which is usually off-white to yellow in color. Unlike many other tuberous plants, maca is propagated by seed. Although it is a perennial, it is grown as an annual; seven to nine months is required to produce the harvested roots. The species L. meyenii was described by Gerhard Walpers in 1843. It has been suggested that the cultivated maca of today is not L. meyenii but a newer species L. peruvianum Chacon, based on various specimens collected since 1960 in the district of San Juan de la Jarpa, in Huancayo province of Peru. While most maca sold in commerce today still refers to the L. meyenii name, economic botanists believe most is L. peruvianum. In 1994 less than 50 hectares were devoted to the commercial cultivation of maca; by 1999 over 1200 hectares were under production due to rising demand in the U.S. and abroad.

 

The area where maca is found, high in the Andes, is an inhospitable region of intense sunlight, violent winds, and below-freezing weather. With its extreme temperatures and poor, rocky soil, the area rates among the world’s worst farmland; yet, over the centuries, maca has evolved to flourish under these conditions. Maca was domesticated about 2,000 years ago by the Incas, and primitive cultivars of maca have been found in archaeological sites dating as far back as 1600 B.C.

 

Tribal and herbal medicine uses
To the Andean Indians and indigenous peoples, maca is a valuable commodity. Because so little else grows in the region, maca is often traded with communities at lower elevations for such other staples as rice, corn, green vegetables, and beans. The dried roots can be stored for up to seven years. Native Peruvians traditionally have utilized maca since pre-Incan times for both nutritional and medicinal purposes. It is an important staple in the diets of these people, as it has the highest nutritional value of any food crop grown there. It is rich in sugars, protein, starches, and essential nutrients (especially iodine and iron). The tuber or root is consumed fresh or dried. The fresh roots are considered a treat and are baked or roasted in ashes (in the same manner as sweet potatoes). The dried roots are stored and, later, boiled in water or milk to make a porridge. They also are made into a popular sweet, fragrant, fermented drink called maca chicha. In Peru even maca jam, pudding, and sodas are popular. The tuberous roots have a tangy, sweet taste and an aroma similar to that of butterscotch.

 

This energizing plant is also referred to as Peruvian ginseng (although maca is not in the same family as ginseng). Maca has been used for centuries in the Andes to enhance fertility in humans and animals. Soon after the Spanish conquest in South America, the Spanish found that their livestock was reproducing poorly in the highlands. The local Indians recommended feeding the animals maca; so remarkable were the results that Spanish chroniclers gave in-depth reports. Even colonial records of some 200 years ago indicate that payment of (roughly) nine tons of maca was demanded from one Andean area alone for this purpose.

 

In Peruvian herbal medicine today, maca is reported to be used as an immunostimulant; for anemia, tuberculosis, menstrual disorders, menopause symptoms, stomach cancer, sterility (and other reproductive and sexual disorders); and to enhance memory. Maca has been growing in world popularity over the last several years due to several large U.S. marketing campaigns touting its energizing, fertility enhancement, hormonal balancing, aphrodisiac, and, especially, enhanced sexual performance properties. Other (anecdotal) herbal medicine uses in the U.S. and abroad include increasing energy, stamina, and endurance in athletes, promoting mental clarity, treating male impotence, and helping with menstrual irregularities, female hormonal imbalances, menopause, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

 

Plant chemicals
The nutritional value of dried maca root is high, resembling those of cereal grains such as maize, rice, and wheat. It contains 60-75% carbohydrates, 10-14% protein, 8.5% fiber, and 2.2% lipids. The protein content of maca exists mainly in the form of polypeptides and amino acids (including significant amounts of arginine, serine, histidine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, valine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and threonine). It also has about 250 mg of calcium, 2 g of potassium, and 15 mg of iron in 100 g of dried root-and important amounts of fatty acids (including linolenic, palmitic, and oleic acids). Maca contains sterols (about 0.05% to 0.1%) and other vitamins and minerals. In addition to its rich supply of essential nutrients, maca contains alkaloids, tannins, and saponins.

 

A chemical analysis conducted in 1981 showed the presence of biologically active aromatic isothiocyanates (a common chemical found in the mustard family of plants and shown to be a wood preservative and insecticide). Chemical research shows maca root contains a chemical called p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate, which has reputed aphrodisiac properties. At least four alkaloids are also present but have not yet been quantified. Fresh maca root contains about 1% glucosinolates-plant chemicals found in many plants in the family Brassicaceae (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and other cruciferous vegetables). While no novel glucosinolates have been reported in maca yet, several of the chemicals found in this group of known plant chemicals are documented to be cancer-preventive. Maca’s main plant chemicals include: lkaloids, amino acids, beta-ecdysone, calcium, carbohydrates, fatty acids, glucosinolates, iron, magnesium, p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate, phosphorus, potassium, protein, saponins, sitosterols, stigmasterol, tannins, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc.

 

Nutritional profile of dried maca root
(Average 10 gram serving) Component per 10 g Amino Acids per 10 g Minerals per 10 g Protein 1-1.4 g Alanine 63.1 mg Calcium 25 mg Carbohydrates 6-7.5 g Arginine 99.4 mg Copper 0.6 mg Fats (lipids) 220 mg Aspartic acid 91.7 mg Iron 1.5 mg Fiber 850 mg Glutamic acid 156.5 mg Iodine 52 mcg Ash 490 mg Glycine 68.3 mg Manganese 80 mcg Sterols 5-10 mg Histidine 41.9 mg Potassium 205 mg Calories 32.5 HO-Proline 26.0 mg Sodium 1.9 mg Isoleucine 47.4 mg Zinc 380 mcg Leucine 91.0 mg Vitamins per 10 g Lysine 54.5 mg Fats/Lipids per 10 g B2 39 mcg Methionine 28.0 mg Linoleic 72 mcg B6 114 mcg Phenylalanine 55.3 mg Palmitic 52 mcg C 28.6 mg Proline 0.5 mg Oleic 24.5 mcg Niacin 565 mcg Sarcosine 0.7 mg Serine 50.4 mg Threonine 33.1 mg Tryptophan 4.9 mg Tyrosine 30.6 mg Valine 79.3 mg

 

Biological activities and clinical research
Maca’s fertility-enhancing properties were reported as early as 1961, when researchers discovered that it increased fertility in rats. Marketing and resulting sales of maca for sexual function has been fueled by clinical research since. The majority of this research, however, has been performed or funded by two main marketers of maca products in the U.S. and abroad! Also suspect to the independent scientific community are studies that “measure libido enhancement” – these are known to be highly subjective. Study protocols can also be easily orchestrated to provide desired outcomes and results; therefore, many trained industry and medical professionals note this brand of (product-sponsored) research with mild interest at best. The first study reporting maca’s effect on sexual function was published in 2000 (and performed by a marketer of maca) and described the beneficial effects of using maca in impotent mice and rats. Another, published a year later, indicated similar effects in male rats. Studies in 2001 reported a beneficial effect on male sperm production in rats and improvement of sperm count and motility in nine healthy adult men. In 2002 a study reported improved sexual performance in inexperienced male rats; another “self-perception on sexual desire” test in healthy men reported aphrodisiac or libido enhancement effects. In several of the rat and mice studies, the animals were administered up to 4 g per kg of body weight of a “concentrated maca extract” to achieve the reported results. This would (approximately) equate to a 300 g (10 oz.) dose for an average (170 lb.) man! None of these studies, however, indicated a possible mechanism of action – or related these observed effects to constituents or chemicals contained in maca root.

 

It may well be that maca’s beneficial effects for sexual function and fertility can be explained simply by its high concentration of proteins and vital nutrients. Dried maca root contains about 10% protein – mostly derived from amino acids. Amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) are required in the diet to drive many cellular functions in the body – including sexual and fertility functions. Amino acids are required to manufacture neurotransmitters such as dopamine and noradrenaline. These substances transmit signals in the nervous system and play a major role in the process of sexual arousal and physical performance during sex. The main amino acids that these neurotransmitters require include phenylalanine, tyrosine, and histidine (all three of which are found in good supply in maca). The amino acid arginine, of which maca is a significant source, is thought to assist in the generation of nitric oxide-which is thought to counteract male impotence (although this is not clinically validated). Many libido- and sexual-enhancement health supplements on the market today contain arginine for this reason. Arginine has also clinically proven to play a role in male fertility through its action of increasing sperm production and motility. It is highly likely that some of the sexual and fertility effects reported were due to maca’s high arginine content. The amino acid histidine also is found in maca root in high amounts. This amino acid plays an often-overlooked but important role in sexual function: during ejaculation and orgasm. The body utilizes histidine to produce histamine, and histamine in the corpus cavernosum (penile erectile tissue) ultimately is responsible for the way ejaculations happen. Men suffering from premature ejaculation often show increased histamine activity; they may be helped by a simple antihistamine, or the amino acid methionine (which counteracts the formation of histamine from histidine). This is the same mechanism that explains a side effect of prescription antihistamines – aorgasmia (or the inability/difficulty to achieve an orgasm).

 

Conversely, men and women having difficulties achieving orgasms may be helped by histidine supplementation – this may increase histamine levels in the sexual tract, which in turn make orgasms and ejaculations easier. An additional pro-sexual effect of histidine (as well as arginine) may lie in its vasodilating effect, increasing blood flow to the sex organs. Again, the significant, natural histidine content of maca may have played a role in the rat studies reporting a greater number of copulations. But it does make one wonder – is the benefit of additional copulations at the expense of shorter duration and/or premature ejaculation? Surely this subject is best suited for truly independent (and not product-sponsored) research.

 

Other benefits and anecdotal reports touting maca for hormonal balancing, endocrine and thyroid function enhancement, and even immune system enhancement are likely related to maca’s amino acid and nutrient content as well. The endocrine system drives many functions in the body, including the production of many types of hormones (which, in turn, regulate many other bodily processes). Although hormones are chemically diverse, they are constructed simply from amino acids and cholesterol. If given sufficient levels of starting materials (natural amino acids), the body may use them as needed to construct hormones which keep the body in balance. Where diet and nutrition are poor (a common problem in the Andes, home to so few green, leafy vegetables), maca is a vital part of the diet – providing the necessary nutrients to keep the body healthy and functioning efficiently.

 

In studies, Bioperene (Black pepper – piper nigrun fruit extract) increases absorption of other nutrients from 30 to 250% via a process called thermogenesis. Recent studies have shown that it can greatly increase the bioavailabbility of other compounds – such as vitamins, minerals, and herbal substances.

 

DHEA
DHEA has a significant impact on lean body mass. DHEA is a catalyst for heathier, leaner eating habits, while blocking cortisols catabolic efffects on muscle mass. DHEA may have a profound influence on positive body composition favoring lean muscle tissue accrual.

 

- DHEA has important metabolic effects.
- DHEA may help decrease cholesterol levels.
- DHEA regulates all other hormones.
- DHEA is a precursor of estrogen and testosterone.
- DHEA assists homeostasis after stress reaction.
- DHEA has major antioxidant properties.
- DHEA may help to maintain youth and health.
- DHEA helps to stabalize weight.

DHEA may help to lower the bad cholesterol. DHEA may be help to relieve pain and inflamation in rheumatoid arthritis. DHEA may be helpful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. DHEA in high doses appear to lead to significant improvement in decreasing symptoms of numbness and spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients. DHEA in 50 mg doses per day in aging men and women has led to remarkable increase in both physical and psychological well-being.

DHEA also relieves depression. Recent double-blind clinical studies show that our decreasing levels of DHEA assciated with aging is a fundamental contributor to depression among both men and women over the age of 40. This fascinating study demonstrates we are just beginning to learn of the extensive anti-aging benefits associated with DHEA in particular and hormone supplementation in general. DHEA STOPS DEPRESSION.

 

NOTE: 25 mg of DHEA is contained in SupplementSpot's Triple Hormone Tablets -- DHEA, PREG & MELATONIN, which also contain 25 mg of pregnenolone, and 3 mg of melatonin. These vital hormones work together synergistically, each enhancing the benefits of the other, in one convenient and economical tablet.

 

Panax Ginseng
Ginseng has been shown in human studies to have a long-term anti-stress effect and to Improve physical and mental performance, memory, and reaction time. This herb is well known, yet shrouded in myth. In Asia, ginseng is taken daily by millions of people, and is widely revered as a superior herbal medicine. Ginseng is a confusing topic, yet we can make sense out of the chaos.

 

True ginseng is in the genus Panax, which comes from the Latin word panacea. The type of ginseng typically used is of the species ginseng. Ginseng is used to treat a host of conditions, and, when it is taken daily, to maintain general good health. Because ginseng has such a wide variety of uses in Asia, it has been viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism by scientists in the West.

 

Herbs, including ginseng, with such broad-spectrum action, are termed adaptogens. The herbs in this category, also called tonics, are, by definition:

 

Nontoxic
Capable of creating a nonspecific action. They increase resistance to a wide range of stresses.
Normalizing. They bring balance to the body, no matter what the problem.
This ability to bring the body to balance and to support a wide variety of functions is what makes ginseng so valuable as a remedy for just about any condition. Adaptogens, including ginseng, work best after long-term moderate use by regulating biological functions, including hormone function, to defend us against the destructive effects of chronic stress.

 

- Have a long-term anti-stress effect
- Improve physical and mental performance, memory, and reaction time
- Enhance mood
- Treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Relieve hangover symptoms and improve alcohol clearance
- Improve congestive heart failure, blood circulation to the heart, and lower cholesterol
- Treat anxiety when due to stress
- Stabilize diabetes
- Lessen symptoms of menopause, including vaginal atrophy

Ginseng is used in Asia to support sexual energy in older people, but the scientific evidence for this use is scanty. From what we know about adaptogens, it seems reasonable that long-term use would enhance all the body's functions, and a healthier body is likely to behave better sexually. Even so, there is some scientific evidence that ginseng does treat impotence, and clinical trial have shown that it increases sperm production and sperm motility. Clinicians, though, do report that ginseng increases sexual desire (libido). The same argument applies to the purported longevity effects. However, though these claims have yet to be proven scientifically, ginseng has been used by millions of people for 5,000 years, and is the most important herb for men in one of the most well developed and extensively practiced medical systems in the world.

 

True ginsengs, in the Panax genus, include Panax ginseng, from East Asia, the plant we usually think of as "ginseng," and Panax quinquefolius, or American ginseng.

 

Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), comes from many areas in East Asia, and is often identified by the region of its origin. Like tea, coffee, or wines, with their varietal classifications, ginseng can be Korean, Chinese, or Manchurian, for example.

 

All ginseng roots, when peeled, are white. Asian ginseng can be processed by steaming, which turns the root red. This process makes he root more stimulating. So, Asian ginseng is available as red or white. Thus, we could have "red Chinese ginseng," or "white Manchurian ginseng." Ginseng is a connoisseur herb, and different aficionados have their favorite preparations.

 

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), which grows only in North America, is prized in Asia. Considered to be a little "cooler" and less stimulating than Asian ginseng, its uses are similar. American ginseng is not available steamed, so is only "white."

 

Several other herbs in the Panax genus, relatives of ginseng, are used as medicine. They have their own characteristic uses. Most are somewhat stamina enhancing, similar to ginseng, as well:

 

"Tienchi Ginseng" (San qi)( Panax pseudoginseng)- not used as a general energy tonic, moves blood and reduces pain
"Zhu Ze Ginseng" (Zhujieshen) (Panax japonicus)- a ginseng substitute, also used for digestion and heart disease
Other valuable Asian herbs with similar properties are used along with, or as substitutes for ginseng:

 

"Prince's Ginseng" (Tai zi shen) (Pseudostellaria heterophylla)- a root from the carnation family that is botanically unrelated to ginseng, used as an energy tonic
"False Ginseng" (Dang Shen) (Codonopsis pilosula)- used as a substitute for the more expensive ginseng, milder, less stimulating
"Dong Quai" (Tang Kwei) (Angelica sinensis)- probably the most widely used herb in the world, taken by about 1 billion women daily in Asia, the main general tonic for women
Ginseng is generally indicated for daily, consistent use in moderate doses by men over 40 years of age. It is not used in Asia by young people, unless there is a clear stamina deficiency. Do not use ginseng as a short-term stimulant. A dose that will feel temporarily energizing can cause uneasiness, irritability, headache, and heart palpitations.

 

Ginseng is not generally used by premenopausal women in Asia. This is not an absolute prohibition, but there are better tonics for a woman's body. Ginseng is a "hot" herb, in the Chinese herbal system, and considered less suitable for the woman's metabolism. Women in our culture sometimes receive benefit at menopause, but ginseng will cause breast tenderness in some, a hint about the wisdom of the Chinese herbalists.

 

A typical dose of moderate quality ginseng would be 4,000-6,000mg per day. Remember that the effects are slow and gradual, and extend over a period of years.

 

By becoming informed and following a few selected guidelines, you can unravel the myths and mysteries surrounding this precious herb. Probably the most respected, and definitely the most researched long-term tonic herb in the world, ginseng has something to offer just about everyone. If it's right for you, make it a part of your life.

 

Nettle  Root
Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Has been used since the Bronze Age, initially the fibers from the stalks were used to make a cloth similar to linen. In fact, the name nettle comes from words meaning "textile plant". It is called "stinging nettle" because it can cause an itchy painful irritation upon contact with the skin. Nettle is a perennial that grow up to 5 feet with lance-shaped leaves and green flowers. It is an alkalizing herb that is rich in minerals, especially iron and is also a source of carotenoids and vitamin C. Nettles have been used in Europe for many years for treating a host of disorders.

 

It is best to take capsules made from freeze-dried nettles.

 

 

Research Indicates
- May support healthy histamine response
- May support healthy immune function
- May support healthy prostate function
- May support healthy inflammatory response
- May help the body remove excess fluid