Herbal Supplements

Today our modern laboratories are learning the secrets of why various herbs are so useful for health concerns.


The following are some of today's most popular herbal supplements for womens health issues.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin:

These two supplements are being studied for their role in helping to support healthy vision. Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in yellow, orange, and leafy green vegetables; such as corn, sweet potatoes, spinach, broccoli, zucchini, celery, and romaine lettuce. Researchers have found that lutein is the primary pigment in the macula at the center of the retina in the eyes .

The November 4,1994 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) stated that natural carotenoids, including beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, may help decrease the risk and even reverse the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in American over 65 years of age.

Quercetin:

Research conducted at the University of Hawaii has shown that quercetin may possibly help reduce the risk of lung cancer. Further studies are required of course, but this news looks promising. In another study, quercetin seemed to help inhibit colon cancer. More studies are underway and no one is claiming this herbal supplement is a cure for any cancers -- nothing like that. It is simply a helpful nutrient and you can get a daily supply of it included in some women's health supplements.


Green Tea Benefits

Green tea is a natural helper that provides anitoxidant benefits. Studies also indicate it may help in weight maintenance by preventing some fat absorption and stimulating some thermogenic fat burning without jittery side effects. Green tea is the subject of many ongoing medical studies. Many people who are slender and live longer than others have this beverage every day. That is why doctors are so interested in green tea and the possible health benefits.

Bioflavonoids:

Plant-derived bioflavonoids are believed to affect collagen structure by protecting it from free radical destruction and cross-linking directly with the collagen fibers. Bioflavonoids may also prove helpful in correcting capillary fragility in the brain, which can lead to what are known as "mini-strokes." Other problems related to capillary fragility, (like bruising very easily), might generally be helped to improve with the dietary supplementation of bioflavonoid herbal supplements.

Some people who eat high levels of flavonoids have been found to have an overall lower risk of getting a wide variety of cancers. More studies are needed of course, but bioflavonoids are fascinating nutrients.

Anti-Oxidants:

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that more women suffer from heart disease than from breast cancer. Anti-oxidants are believed to promote good circulation and support heart health and eye health. Studies have demonstrated the possibility that having many anti-oxidants working together may give you better results than one anti-oxidant working alone. Top quality herbal supplements may include several antioxidants in the blend to better support a variety of women's health issues.

The antioxidant vitamins A, C and E and the mineral selenium are known as free radical scavengers. Free radicals are unstable molecules with missing or extra electrons that attack tissue in search of stabilizing electrons. The antioxidants scavenge or stabilize free radicals and, if present in sufficient quantities, can help prevent free radical-induced tissue damage and resulting inflammation.

Ginkgo Biloba:

This fascinating herb is believed to enhance brain function. Ginkgo comes from the oldest species of tree on earth. It has been around for 300 million years. Chinese medicine has used the ginkgo biloba herbal remedy for thousands of years. There have been 37 scientific studies published on ginkgo recently. Doctors in Europe reportedly write 1.2 million prescriptions for ginkgo herbal supplements every month.

Bromelain Enzymes:

The enzyme bromelain is derived from pineapples. The body's digestive system uses enzymes to dissolve fats, break down carbohydrates, process proteins, and absorb nutrients. When we don't eat enough raw foods, we may have fewer enzymes in our digestive system than usual. The levels may also decrease as we age. Herbal supplements containing enzymes may help with these women's health issues. Or simply taking a daily multi-vitamin and mineral supplement that includes enzymes can help support the needs of the digestive system and may increase absorption of nutrients.

In addition, studies are finding bromelain may act as an anti-inflammatory to reduce joint swelling in atheletes and people with arthritis. How does it help? Bromelain is believed to inhibit "bad" prostaglandin production and reduce inflammation. Bromelain has long been a mainstay for treating muscle injuries. The enzymes obtained from the stem of the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus) are thought to help break down scar tissue, decrease tissue fluid called edema and block inflammation.

Maitake Mushrooms:

Revered in the orient for centuries as an aid to the immune system, maitake mushrooms are being studied in the west now as possible "medicinal mushrooms." Of course we are not saying that herbal supplements made from mushrooms are medicine. Just that the medical community is studying these mushrooms for their immunity effects.

Olive Leaf:

Herbalists have used olive leaf extract for over 100 years as a health tonic. Now science has discovered why these herbal supplements may be so popular. It apparently contains a substance called oleuropein, which is believed to kill various kinds of bacteria and possibly some viruses.

In addition, it may help to increase the amount of phagocytes in the body. These are cells that help the body fight off viruses. We're not saying it is a cure for the common cold or for yeast infections or bladder infections. However it seems to be an all-natural herbal method of supporting the health of the body's own defenses. This herbal supplement is being studied for a variety of women's health issues.

Bilberry:

Bilberries are related to blueberries. In World War Two, bilberry was brewed in a tea. It was reportedly believed to aid the vision of British pilots when flying at night. Much research is being done these days on berries and their possible role in providing anitoxidant benefits and promoting good health.

Ginseng:

Many women take Ginseng, which they believe helps to give them more energy. These herbal supplements may also possibly help support healthy blood sugar levels -- a goal of diabetes prevention, weight loss and other women's health issues.

1. Be a careful consumer and buy your dietary supplements only from manufacturers that are pharmaceutical GMP compliant. The most professional companies will maintain strict adherence to regulatory standards and practices. Consumers need to shop carefully because dietary supplements are not standardized or regulated in the U.S. and may not contain what is stated on the label. Some supplements have even been found to contain contaminants.

2. Check the label to make sure your supplements do not contain any cheap fillers, additives, or artificial colors, etc. Some additives may include sugar, gluten, cornstarch, rice starch, silica, artificial flavoring, artificial color, etc.

3. To get your money’s worth and enjoy the benefits of supplements, make sure you buy only standardized extracts. Why standardized extracts? Because they deliver true-to-label ingredients and potency for the best efficacy and benefits. Tests of some supplements have shown that they contain far less of the active ingredients than they claim on their labels. Many companies do not want to use standardized extracts because they make more profit using non-standardized ingredients and cheap additives. Get what you pay for and what your body needs for optimum health. Why take a chance? Use only the best - only standardized extracts.

One high quality product that meets and exceeds these requirements is Total Balance for women. Our endless quality comparisons of various products has given us many reasons to believe that this product is the best overall quality nutritional supplement that also contains beneficial herbs for women's health issues.

Total Balance for Women is an all-natural comprehensive supplement that provides a broad range of synergistic nutrients known to enhance overall health. It contains dozens of the nutrients that are documented on this site.

The scientifically chosen formula includes vitamins and co-factors, essential minerals, amino acids, standardized herbal extracts, digestive enzymes, specialty nutrients and immunity support ingredients. These are standardized extracts with a pharmaceutical grade enteric coating and are free of any fillers and are guaranteed to contain exactly what is stated on the label. These are made in a facility that follows rigorous manufacturing requirements that far exceed U.S. FDA standards.

The editors here have been personally taking these products with excellent results. When we take these we notice that we have more energy during the day and we sleep better at night. We feel less stressed, more mentally focused, have fewer aches and pains, and we enjoy an overall feeling of healthy well being.