SHATAVARI

Shatavari 
Women’s Health

Physical description 
60 , clear transparent Capsules 
 

Hormones :
Hormones are messengers in the body . Our body’s cells , tissues , and organs talk to each other with the help of these messengers . Hormones are essential for growth as well as for aging with health and grace ; insulin , thyroxine , adrenaline , estrogen , progesterone are hormones . 

Role of progesterone and estrogen: 
Estrogen and progesterone are the female sex hormones . Estrogen helps a girl develop into a woman capable of reproduction . It regulates reproductive cycles (menstruation , pregnancy) and the optimal functioning of the uterus , external sexual organs , breasts , bones, skin , arteries , brain , metabolism and fat deposition , hair distribution , etc.

Progesterone , produced from the ovaries of menstruating women , is dubbed the “feel-good’ hormone . It performs a number of functions ; reduces anxiety and increases sleepiness , helps build and maintain bone , promotes appetite and fat storage (important in pregnancy) , helps to mature breast tissue and prepares breasts to produce milk . 

Progesterone and estrogen balance each other in the body . Imbalance in the levels of these hormones gives rise to female health problems. 

Hormone imbalance and health 
Hormonal imbalances lead to premenstrual syndrome , dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) , irregular menstruation , abnormal uterine bleeding , infertility and delayed recovery after childbirth . 
Premenstrual syndrome or PMS is a group of uncomfortable symptoms related to the menstrual cycle that occur in the days prior to the period . Symptoms include cramps , mood swings , breast tenderness , bloating , headache , anxiety , irritability , and craving for food .
Dysmenorrhea is painful menstrual cramps that accompany periods . 
Hormonal imbalance can be one reason for irregular menstruation where bleeding occurs in between a regular cycle , or is a part of a longer and heavier or an absence of periods . 
A hormonal imbalance is often at the root of female infertility and may result in difficulty in conception. 
Symptoms experienced by menopausal women mood swings , night sweats , hot flushes , irritability are due to imbalance from the reduced secretion of estrogen . 

Causes of hormonal imbalance 
Environmental chemicals , stress , birth control pills , surgical removal of uterus , menopause and obesity can result in hormonal imbalances. 

Lifestyle measures 
Dietary regulations like drinking enough water , having less of meat , caffeine , sugar and alcohol and more of fruit and vegetable , may be beneficial . Supplementation with minerals like calcium , magnesium and manganese , and vitamins may benefit. Exercise is important ; activities like yoga and walking really work for you. Adequate sleep and stress management are important in periods of high stress . 

Plant estrogens 
Plant estrogens or phytoestrogens are estrogen-like substances derived from plants , structurally similar to estrogens . They are found in cereals , vegetables , legumes (beans) , and few herbs. 

Studies suggest that plant estrogen supplementation offers a potent alternative to hormone replacement therapy in correcting hormonal imbalance. 

The balancing act: Plant estrogens exhibit estrogen-like effect if estrogen levels are low , inhibit the effect of estrogen when estrogen levels are too high , hence , normalizing high or low estrogen levels . 

While both synthetic and natural estrogens may pose significant health risks , plant estrogens have not been associated with these undesirable side effects. 

Benefits of phytoestrogens ;

PMS: Since hormonal imbalances cause PMS or premenstrual syndrome phytoestrogens which act as body’s hormones provide relief from these symptoms. 
Irregular periods : Phytoestrogens are also beneficial in irregular menstruation and in longer , heavier and in absence of periods. 
Osteoporosis: Plant estrogens increase bone density in postmenopausal women . In a study involving postmenopausal women , phytoestrogens along with calcium increased bone mineral density at 12 months and 24 months. 1 
Cancer : Experimental studies show that phytoestrogens can inhibit a wide range of both hormone – dependent and hormone –independent cancers . 2.
Cardiovascular : Epidemiological data suggests that phytoestrogen consumption contributes to lower incidence of cardiovascular disease in asian countries , and phytoestrogens may be cardioprotective factor for vegetarians. 3

PRODUCT INFORMATION : 
Suggested use : As a dietary supplement take one capsule twice a day, preferably with meals.