Fibromyalgia: Seven Steps Out of Pain

Pacific Compounds Pharmacy is hosting an informative and uplifting seminar on Wednesday, September 16th at 7:00 pm. The guest speaker is Dr. Arcoma Gonzalez. She will be lecturing on Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue:

Fibromyalgia: Seven Steps Out of Pain

Do you suffer from chronic pain in many places all over your body?
If you have pain, fatigue, fibrofog, restlessness, poor sleep, hypersensitivities to smells, allergies, and weight concerns, then this one hour presentation will answer a lot of questions about how and why these symptoms occur. There are many theories as to the causes of fibromyalgia, but anyone who suffers with these symptoms has an entirely different view of the disease than the researchers. Dr. Gonzalez Lambert will shed some light on the body systems affected, the ways to treat this ever changing condition, and useful tips on how to keep your insurance coverage. This one hour presentation is practical, entertaining, and informative so that you can get back to living your life.

If you, or anyone you know, has Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, you'll definitely want to attend this seminar!

Date: Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Time: 7:00 pm

Place: Pacific Compounds Pharmacy

327 SE 3rd Avenue

Hillsboro, Or 97123

Speaker: Dr. Arcoma Gonzalez

Price: $10.00 per seat or $15.00 for two seats - bring a friend!
(seats must be reserved and pre-paid, either in
person or by calling 503-640-3080 to get this price.)

$15.00 per seat at the door

Two Dietary Oils, Two Sets Of Benefits For Older Women With Diabetes

ScienceDaily (July 7, 2009) — A study comparing how two common dietary oil supplements affect body composition suggests that both oils, by themselves, can lower body fat in obese postmenopausal women with Type 2 diabetes.

The two oils compared were safflower oil, a common cooking oil, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a compound naturally found in some meat and dairy products that has been associated with weight loss in previous studies. Both are composed primarily of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are considered “good fats” that, when consumed in proper quantities, are associated with a variety of health benefits.

In the study, 16 weeks of supplementation with safflower oil reduced fat in the trunk area, lowered blood sugar and increased muscle tissue in the women participants.

Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation for the same length of time, on the other hand, reduced total body fat and lowered the women’s body mass index (BMI), a common health measure of weight relative to height.

All of the women in the study took one oil for 16 weeks, followed by the other oil for an equal amount of time. The participants were instructed not to change their diets or exercise patterns over the course of the study so the research would measure the effects of only the supplementation.

“Making this subtle change in the intake of high-quality dietary fats in an effort to alter body composition is both achievable and affordable to postmenopausal women in the United States who are managing the difficult combination of obesity and diabetes,” said Martha Belury, professor of human nutrition at Ohio State University and senior author of the study.

Among the most surprising findings: that in 16 weeks, these women could lose between about two pounds and four pounds of trunk fat simply by taking safflower oil supplements.

“I never would have imagined such a finding. This study is the first to show that such a modest amount of a linoleic acid-rich oil may have a profound effect on body composition in women,” Belury said. The dose of either oil taken each day was approximately 1 2/3 teaspoons.

Postmenopausal women tend to lose muscle at the same time that body fat accumulates toward their middle, so this research shows how dietary oils can complement lifestyle and medication in helping older diabetic women manage their health, she said.

The research appears online and is scheduled for later print publication in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Thirty-five women participated in the study. All were considered obese based on their BMI measures of 30 or higher, were postmenopausal but younger than age 70, and had Type 2 diabetes but did not need to take insulin to treat the disease. Many did take other medications, such as those used to manage blood sugar levels, cholesterol or blood pressure.

The women were randomized into two groups to determine which supplement they took first. Each initial 16-week supplementation was followed by a four-week washout period to remove the first supplement from their systems before the next 16-week supplementation period began. The supplements were contained in eight pills; the women took two pills four times per day, at meals and bedtime.

“The power of the crossover is that it tells you the different effects of the dietary oils in the same woman,” Belury said.

The daily supplementation contained 6.4 grams of each oil’s active fatty acid: linoleic acid in safflower oil and, in CLA, specific fatty acid isomers – compounds that share the same chemical formula but differ in chemical structure.

The researchers used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, commonly known as DXA and usually used to measure bone density, to determine the women’s baseline and follow-up lean mass and fat throughout their bodies and specifically in their trunk region.

Researchers asked the participants to keep diet and activity records for three consecutive days at four points over the course of the study to account for the potential for calorie intake or exercise to affect the results, Belury said. Physical activity remained unchanged throughout the study, and no significant differences were seen between the two groups’ reported calorie intake.

The study showed that CLA supplementation significantly decreased body mass index and total body fat over both diet periods, typically showing effects in the last half of each 16-week period. The BMI levels of the women taking CLA dropped on average by about half a point, and their total body fat decreased by an average of 3.2 percent, reducing the weight of the fat tissue by an average of between 2.3 pounds and 3.5 pounds.

Safflower oil supplementation showed no effect on total body fat readings, but reduced the weight of trunk fat tissue by between 2.6 pounds and 4.2 pounds, or an average of 6.3 percent. It also increased lean tissue, or muscle, by between an average of about 1.4 pounds and 3 pounds.

Safflower oil also lowered fasting blood sugar levels by between 11 and 19 points on average. Blood sugar is considered normal if it falls below 110 milligrams per deciliter; the women’s average blood sugar levels ranged from 129 to 148 after 16 weeks of safflower oil supplementation.

“Lowering fasting glucose is important for these women. The overall effect in just 16 weeks wasn’t bringing them back to normal, but safflower oil still improved it significantly,” Belury said.

The dietary oils did not have significant effects on other health measurements, such as waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and skinfold thickness measures of body fat, Belury noted.

The CLA also did not appear to affect the variety of hormones involved in fat burning. However, safflower oil increased a hormone called adiponectin. Increasing this hormone may have instilled an improved ability to burn dietary fats, said Belury, who hopes to investigate this mechanism in a follow-up study.

Belury said that other work she is conducting in animals suggests that at least in the case of CLA, the fatty acid appears to allow the body to burn calories in a heat-producing way. Questions remain about the long-term safety of any kind of supplementation that lowers body fat, because some research has suggested that the fat that leaves fat tissue ends up in the liver or muscles – a condition that could lead to insulin resistance and diabetes if that fat can’t be used.

Neither CLA nor the linoleic acid in safflower oil is naturally produced in the human body, so both must be obtained from food or dietary supplements. Linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid that is important in growth and maintenance of tissues and lipid metabolism. The American Heart Association recently issued recommendations suggesting that omega-6 fatty acids are among the polyunsaturated fats that should be consumed for heart health.

CLA is found naturally in trace amounts primarily in beef, lamb and milk, but obtaining levels comparable to those used in Belury’s study likely requires concentrated doses similar to those found in dietary supplements.

“Essentially what we’re trying to understand with nutrition is how dietary approaches can complement Westernized medicine,” Belury said. “In an ideal world, we’d love it if women like those in our study could use diet, activity and other aspects of a healthy lifestyle to manage their health. But most will probably be on oral medications for the rest of their lives for managing their diabetes and metabolism, which is fine as long as the medications work. We think there’s a chance that nutrition can complement medication and help drugs work even better.”

Co-authors on the study were Leigh Norris, Angela Collene, Michelle Asp, Li-Fen Liu and Julia Richardson of Ohio State’s Department of Human Nutrition; Jason Hsu and Dongmei Li of the Department of Statistics; Kwame Osei and Rebecca Jackson of the Department of Internal Medicine’s Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism; and Doris Bell of Cognis, provider of an unrestricted monetary gift and a dietary oil donation for the research.

This work was supported by the National Center for Research Resources, Ohio State’s Clinical Research Center, the National Institutes of Health and the Caroline S. Kennedy endowment, which funds Belury’s professorship.

Vitamin B6 May Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk

By Dr. Reginald B. Cherry, M.D.

Christian Post Contributor

Thu, Jul. 02 2009 04:20 PM EDT

Increased intake of vitamin B6 from dietary and supplements may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by over 50%, suggests a new Harvard study.

Each year, almost 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer, and nearly 55,000 die from the disease. A new report from the Physicians' Health Study, which involves 22,000 male doctors, suggests that vitamin B6 helps reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.

Blood levels of the vitamin were measured and those with the highest levels had a 53% reduced risk. The protection appeared to be independent of levels of other B vitamins and may work through reducing oxidative stress. Vitamin B6 is known to be vital for DNA production, so lack of it might lead to the kind of DNA damage that is associated with cancer.

The study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School was published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention. Last year, the same journal published similar findings from Scotland-based researchers. They reported that increased intakes of vitamin B6 from dietary and supplements may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by over 20%.

A previous Swedish study involving 60,000 women also found that women who consumed lower levels of vitamin B6 had a higher chance of developing colorectal cancer than those who consumed large quantities.

Good food sources of vitamin B6 include fortified cereals, fish, nuts, legumes, meat, bell peppers, bananas, avocados, potatoes and greens such as spinach, turnip, collard, mustard, kale and chard.

But many of us are not getting nearly enough B6 from our diets. In 2008, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study of nearly 8,000 people showing that B6 inadequacy is common throughout the United States. "Across the study population," the authors said, "we noticed participants with inadequate vitamin B6 status even though they reported consuming more than the Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamin B6, which is less than 2 milligrams per day."

To ensure that you are getting enough vitamin B6, take a complete nutritional supplement such as Basic Nutrient Support that includes the full spectrum of vitamins. Because of its many varied essential functions, B6 is also included in Cardiovascular Support, Memory & Mental Support, and Stress Support.

"Rice" designed to fight allergies

The Times of India
5 Jul 2009

Scientists in Japan have achieved a breakthrough in advancing towards the next generation of genetically modified rice, which will fight Rice bowl Now rice will fight allergies instead of causing them.

According to report in Live Science, the new transgenic rice has been designed to fight a common pollen allergy appears safe in animal studies.

Fumio Takaiwa and colleagues note that the first generation of genetically-modified crops was designed to help keep crops free of weeds and bugs.

The next generation of transgenic crops is being developed to directly benefit human health.

This includes vegetables and grains that produce higher levels of nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, or even medicines and vaccines.

Like the first generation of transgenic foods, however, researchers are anxiously trying to determine whether foods produced from these "biopharmaceutical" crops will be safe for humans and the environment.

The rice plant has been genetically engineered to fight allergies

to Japanese cedar pollen, a growing public health problem in Japan that affects about 20 percent of the population.

In laboratory studies, the researchers fed a steamed version of the transgenic rice and a non-transgenic version to a group of monkeys everyday for 26 weeks.

At the end of the study period, the test animals did not show any health problems, in an initial demonstration that the allergy-fighting rice may be safe for consumption, according to the researchers.

More research will be needed to bring the rice to market.

Herbs and Natural Remedies for Insomnia

© 1998 Christopher Hobbs

Sleep is one of the most deeply healing and revitalizing experiences known. When we can get enough restful sleep each night, the entire world looks brighter. Insomnia is a lack of healthful, restful sleep and is a common problem experienced by as many as 20% to 30% of American adults at various times in their lives. Statistics report a fifth of American adults and half of American seniors have difficulty falling asleep on any given night (Reiter and Robinson, 1995). The most prevalent sleeping disorder is chronic insomnia, which is experienced by 15% of adults.

Until recently (1993), when the US Congress mandated a National Center on Sleep Disorders, insomnia was not considered a significant or disabling medical condition. Today, it is recognized as a disease which is produced by a wide variety of causative factors, including emotional disorders and upset, physical imbalances, age, environmental factors, and a genetic component.

During my years of clinical experience as a practicing herbalist, I have worked with many patients suffering from sleep disorders most of whom have a lifestyle and/or emotional component accompanying their illness. These might include the loss of a loved one or a divorce, loud unaccustomed noises during the night such as barking dogs or sirens, biological rhythm upsets such as changing one's working schedule to the night shift, or stimulating drugs like coffee or amphetamines, all of which contribute to and intensify insomnia.

Insomnia can be based on or aggravated by a neurotransmitter imbalance. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that allow nerve impulses to travel from one nerve cell to another, and include serotonin, acetylcholine, GABA, and the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen. Sleep disorders and such symptoms as depression are especially linked with an imbalance in the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is manufactured by the body from the amino acid tryptophan. Herbs and foods high in tryptophan that help restore proper serotonin levels in the brain are St. John's wort, quinoa, spirulina, and soy products.

Holistic treatment for insomnia is multifaceted and incorporates many techniques including herbal medicine, vitamin and mineral supplements, lifestyle changes, improved sleep hygiene, massage therapy, behavioral therapy, meditation, diet, exercise, hypnosis, acupuncture, relaxation, guided imagery, and homeopathy. A treatment approach is aimed at precluding all the potential causes of insomnia rather than simply providing symptomatic relief. Table 1 reviews some important practical ways to improve sleep.

Sleep Hygiene

Maintain a regular sleep schedule. Arise at a specific hour each morning, regardless of the previous night's sleep to help set your biological clock. To consolidate and deepen sleep, restrict the amount of sleep to only as much as needed to feel refreshed during the following day. Exercising regularly helps deepen sleep; however, strenuous exercise should be completed three-four hours before going to bed. Arrange the bedroom so that it is a comfortable setting. Insulate it against sound and light by using carpets and curtains; ear plugs and eye masks may be helpful.

Keep the room at a cool to moderate temperature. Excessive heat disturbs sleep.

Avoid liquids before going to sleep to minimize nighttime trips to the bathroom. If liquids are not a problem, try drinking a small hot beverage (dairy, rice, or soy milk) at bedtime.

Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and caffeinated beverages (especially in the evening). Note: Although alcohol may help a person fall asleep, it causes subsequent sleep to be fragmented.

As far as possible, work out family or job related problems before going to sleep.

Use the bedroom for sleeping and sexual activity only. If you can't fall asleep, don't get angry at yourself; get up, leave the room, and engage in another activity like reading or stretching. Hide the clock if you find yourself waking up to see the time. Avoid napping longer than one-hour or after four pm. Turn off the telephone. Try a relaxation technique, such as, biofeedback, meditation, yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, or massage to prepare the mind and body for sleep.
(Adapted from Rakel, 1996)

Some of the major herbs for insomnia are discussed below.

Herbs for Insomnia

The following herbs can be used during the day, or try using 20-30 minutes before bedtime.

Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis): Chamomile is a time-honored sedative herb which can be safely used by children and adults alike. Chamomile tea is commonly used in Europe, South America, and Mexico for insomnia and restlessness combined with irritability, particularly in children. Chamomile oil can also be put in bath water (5-6 drops) to soothe overwrought nerves, diluted to 2% to make an excellent massage oil, or used as an inhalant.

• Dose: Tea, 1 cup 2-3 x daily; Tincture, 30 drops 3 x daily.

Hops (Humulus lupulus): In the early 1900s, Eclectic physicians used hops as a sedative specifically for insomnia due to worry or nerve weakness (Bell, 1925; Ellingwood, 1983). Hops, a major flavoring component of beer, has a long history of use for sleeplessness, nervousness, and restlessness. Hops pillows are sometimes used for mild insomnia.

• Dose: Tea, 1 cup 2-3 x daily; Tincture, 30-40 drops 2-3 x daily.

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis): Lavender is a gentle strengthening tonic for the nervous system. A few drops of lavender oil added to a bath before bedtime are recommended for persons with sleep disorders. Additionally, the oil may be used as a compress or massage oil or simply inhaled to alleviate insomnia.

• Dose: Tea, 1 cup 2-3 x daily; Essential oil--oil may be inhaled, massaged into the skin (use 10 drops essential oil per ounce of vegetable oil), or added to baths (3-10 drops).

Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata): Herbalists consider passion flower an important herb for insomnia caused by mental worry, overwork, or nervous exhaustion. In England it is an ingredient in forty different commonly-sold sedative preparations. Passion flower is used for minor sleep problems in both children and adults (Bruneton, 1995). It is an excellent sedative with no side effects even when used in large doses (Spaick, 1978).

• Dose: Tea, 1 cup 3 x daily; Tincture, 30-60 drops 3-4 x daily.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis): In the United States, herbalists use valerian extensively for its sedative action against insomnia, nervousness, and restlessness. It is recommended for those type of people who have a hard time falling asleep, because it shortens sleep latency. It also reduces nighttime waking. Valerian is an excellent herbal sedative that has none of the negative side effects of Valium and other synthetic sedatives. It works well in combination with other sedative herbs, such as California poppy, skullcap, hops, and passion flower.

• Dose: Tea, 1 cup as needed; Tincture, 2-5 droppersful 2-3 x daily.

Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa): Wild lettuce is a mild sedative and nervine used for restlessness and insomnia. It may be found in a variety of formulas for the treatment of acute and chronic insomnia. It is used homeopathically for restlessness and insomnia (Boericke, 1927). Because of its safety of use and calming effects, wild lettuce is a good children's remedy.

• Dose: Tincture, 2-3 drpfls 3-4 x daily.

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica): California poppy is my favorite sedative and sleep-promoting herb which can currently be found in a variety of herbal remedies sold in the United States for promoting sleep, helping one to relax, and easing mild anxiety. Because of its mild sedative and analgesic properties, it can be given safely to children. Clinical and laboratory work on California poppy has clearly demonstrated the plant's sedative and anti-anxiety properties; it has been shown to improve both sleep latency and quality (Bruneton, 1995).

• Dose: Tea, 1 cup 2-3 x daily; Tincture, 30-40 drops 2-3 x daily.
• Note: Since the tea is mild, a tincture is recommended when a stronger dose is desired.

Kava kava (Piper methysticum): Kava is the national drink of Fiji and is popular throughout the South Seas. It imparts a calm feeling, relaxes the body, and sometimes enhances communication and dreaming. This sedative herb is often used for sleeplessness and fatigue.

• Dose: Tea, 1 cup 2-3 x daily; Tincture, 3-4 droppersful 2-3 x daily.

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum): This common yellow-flowered weedy herb from Europe is quickly becoming an important part of modern herbal therapeutics. It has a long history of use dating back to ancient Greek times. Modern scientific studies show that it can help relieve chronic insomnia and mild depression when related to certain brain chemistry imbalances. Because this herb can sensitize the skin to sunlight, if you are taking a full dose, avoid direct skin exposure to bright sunlight.

• Dose: Tincture, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon 2-3 x daily; powdered extract, 1-2 tablets or capsules 2-3 x daily. Allow 2-3 weeks for the full therapeutic effect to develop. If you experience light sensitivity or other unpleasant symptoms, reduce or discontinue the St. John's wort and consult a qualified herbalist for a total program.

Melatonin: Melatonin is a human hormone that is increasingly popular as a supplement to promote sound sleep, especially in people who travel between time zones or who work odd hours. People report mixed success with this product; some people find real benefit and others feel nothing from its use, while a smaller percentage of users experience side effects such as nervousness and increased insomnia. Whether you have benefited from the use of melatonin or not, one or more of the sleep hygiene tips, as well as safe and natural herbs and formulas covered in this article are likely to help you get a deep refreshing sleep, without side effects.

Herbal Formulas for Insomnia

A Calming Tea Blend: Linden flowers (1 part), Hawthorn flowers & leaves (1 part), Chamomile (2 parts), Catnip (1 part), Lemon balm (1 part), Wintergreen (1 part), Stevia herb (1/8 part).

Bedtime Tea: Valerian (30%), Linden (20%), Kava kava (20%), Chamomile (20%), Catnip (10%).

For either formula, blend the loose herbs, place in a quart jar for future use, and store out of the direct sunlight in a cool place. Use 1 tsp/cup to make a tea. Make 1 quart at a time, adding 1 extra tsp 'for the pot.' Add the herbs to boiled water and cover. Let steep for 20 minutes, strain and store in the quart jar in the refrigerator. This blend will keep for 3 days. Pour out 1 cup, warm it, and drink several times daily or before bedtime as needed.

A few drops of essential oil of lavender added to a foot bath or regular bath can have a nice, calming effect. Finally, sleep pillows made of equal parts of hops, lavender, and chamomile and bath salts containing relaxing essential oils both help promote sleep and are available in some health food stores

Bibliography

• Bell, V.L. 1925. A Glossary of Indicated Remedies and Disease Names and Definitions. Cincinnati: Lloyd Brothers Pharmacists.
• Boericke, W. 1927. Materia Medica with Repertory. 9th. Philadelphia: Boericke & Runyon.
• Bruneton, J. 1995. Pharmacognosy Phytochemistry Medicinal Plants. Paris: Lavoisier Publishing.
• Ellingwood, F. 1983. (1898). American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy. Portland: Eclectic Medical Publications.
• Rakel, R.E., ed. 1996. Conn's Current Therapy. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co.
• Reiter, F. & J. Robinson. 1995. Your Body's Natural Wonder Drug, Melatonin. New York: Bantam Books.
• Spaich, W. 1978. Moderne Phytotherapie. Heidelberg: Karl F. Haug Verlag.

Like aspirin, garlic and fish oil are blood thinners

By LISA TSAKOS
Naturally Savvy

I wish to take garlic supplements as an immune booster. I read that you shouldn’t take garlic with aspirin or Omega3’s. Is this true?

Garlic, fish oil (omega 3) and aspirin are all blood thinners. Blood clots are far more dangerous than blood that is too thin. Warnings about blood thinners are mainly specific to Warfarin, a prescribed blood thinner. Warfarin has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning that the dosage must be precise. It does not combine well with any other blood thinner (including herbal or natural ones).

The primary danger in taking too many blood thinners is that, in the case of an accident, you may experience excessive bleeding. Garlic supplements taken with fish oil are safe and, as blood thinners, are equally as effective as aspirin.

LISA TSAKOS IS A REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR TO WWW.NATURALLYSAVVY.COM

Red clover helps with weight loss, high blood pressure

Deborah Mitchell, Examiner.com

Red clover has been used for centuries as a diuretic to lose weight, reduce swelling and inflammation, and ease joint pain. It can be an alternative to conventional medications, including statins and diuretics, for these and other purposes, such as the bloating and discomfort that often accompany menstruation and premenstrual syndrome.

What is red clover?
Red clover (Trifolium pretense) is a hardy perennial that grows throughout Europe, Asia, and the Mediterranean, as well as Australia and North America. The plant sports pink-purple flowers that make their appearance in late spring, and these colorful displays are the parts that are used for healing.

Benefits of red clover
This traditional herbal remedy stimulates the production of urine and helps remove water and waste materials from the kidneys and bladder. This increased flow of urine helps with weight loss, contributes to lowering elevated blood pressure, and relieves the swelling, inflammation, and pain associated with menopause, premenstrual syndrome, and menstruation.

Several studies have also pointed to the ability of red clover to protect against heart disease. A 2008 study also found that postmenopausal women experienced a significant improvement in total cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol after taking red clover supplements.

Red clover is also mentioned as a possible anticancer remedy, although evidence is still being collected. A 2008 British study of 401 women found that treatment with red clover isoflavones was safe and may possibly be considered to help prevent breast cancer.

How to take red clover
The recommended daily dose for adults is usually 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried flowering herb infused in 1 cup of boiling water for 30 minutes, taken three times daily. You can also use standardized powdered clover extract (standardized to isoflavone content) at 40 to 160 mg daily in capsules; 60 to 100 drops of tincture (1:5; 30% alcohol) three times daily; of 1 mL of the fluid extract (1:1) three times daily. Both the tincture and the fluid extract may be added to hot water to make a tea.

Because red clover has phytoestrogenic properties (estrogen-like abilities), it is not recommended for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women. Although there is no clear evidence that red clover is not safe for women who have current or a history of breast cancer, these women should avoid using it because of the phytoestrogenic traits.

As with any supplement, you should talk to your doctor before you begin taking it.