Nutritional Supplements Store

Biotin is a B-vitamin.

Some health professionals have reported success with biotin for restoring lost hair. In high doses, 5-8 mg) daily of biotin are thought to be effective in restoring head hair growth in some women, with no known side effects. Some specialty shampoos feature biotin for this reason.

High doses of biotin appear to promote healthy glucose (blood sugar) metabolism. A number of animal studies support this claim. One human study of diabetics showed that after one month of biotin supplementation (9 mg/day), blood sugar levels decreased by an average of 45%.

High doses of biotin have been shown to reduce triglycerides as well as a "bad" form of cholesterol called "VLDL".

Biotin appears to help reinforce the structure of nails, promote strength and thickness, and reduce splitting.

Recent studies have expanded biotin's metabolic role, suggesting that it maintains healthy genetic expression of the many enzymes for which it is a cofactor. Biotin also supports nervous system health and function.*

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This product contains a high dose standardized vitex extract and is fortified with vitex essential oil for improved clinical effect. Vitex is helpful for women who have issues with ovulation or infertility.

Vitex has the ability to stimulate greater production of progesterone by the corpus luteum, which results in a shift in the ratio of estrogen to progesterone in favor of progesterone. One common characteristic of PCOS is a lack of progesterone.

This mechanism of action accounts for its effectiveness in correcting irregular menses, premenstrual menses, heavy menses, lack of ovulation, and even infertility.

In one study, 18 women with abnormally low progesterone levels were given vitex daily. After 3 months of treatment, 13 showed increases in progesterone and 2 became pregnant.

Vitex also tends to normalize the secretion of prolactin from the pituitary gland and can actually inhibit prolactin release by the pituitary gland, particularly under stress. Women with PCOS tend to have high levels of prolactin, which inhibits fertility.

In one study of 117 women with four different types of acne, a chasteberry preparation was taken for 1-2 years. By 3 months, about 70% were free of acne.*

Click here for more information about vitex.

Carnitine is often called an amino acid but it is actually a vitamin-like nutrient, related in structure to the B vitamins. It plays an essential role in transporting fats into the muscles for energy production. For this reason, it is often referred to as a "fat burning" nutrient.

Surprisingly, a very recent experiment with human hair at the University of Lubeck in Germany showed that carnitine promotes hair growth. Exposure to carnitine stimulated hair shaft elongation and reduced hair cell death in this study. The authors of this study conclude, "Our findings suggest that L-carnitine stimulates human scalp hair growth..." They further encourage one to explore l-carnitine "…as a well-tolerated, relatively safe adjuvant treatment in the management of androgenetic alopecia and other forms of hair loss."

A report from the University of Indiana School of Medicine indicates that L-carnitine can reduce endothelial dysfunction, which is common in women with PCOS and is an early indication of cardiovascular disease. The authors of this study concluded: "Our data suggest that increasing L-carnitine levels may improve…obesity-associated endothelial dysfunction. This improved endothelial function may delay or prevent the development of excess cardiovascular disease.".*

Click here for more information about l-carnitine.

Cinnulin PF is a patented, 100% water-soluble cinnamon (Cinnamomi cassia) extract. Recent research suggests that cinnamon's water-soluble polyphenol polymers support healthy blood sugar metabolism, provide antioxidant protection, and support healthy blood flow.

In a recent pilot study, consumption of cinnamon reduced insulin resistance in fifteen PCOS women. The women were divided into two groups: one group took cinnamon extract while the other group took a placebo. After 8 weeks, the cinnamon group showed significant reductions in insulin resistance while the placebo group did not.

Cinnamon may also have a normalizing effect on triglycerides, which is a problem for some women with PCOS.*

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Medical studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are helpful for:

• insulin resistance
• inflammation
• heart disease risk
• high blood pressure
• elevated triglycerides (blood fats)
• diabetes risk
• depression and mood disorders
• stress
• elevated homocysteine levels
• excessive weight.

Women with PCOS typically have at least several of the above health problems.

EPA and DHA are two of the fatty acids in fish oil that are necessary for cell health, function and communication. Unfortunately, the typical American diet is too low in EPA/DHA, and it is too low in alpha linolenic acid, which is the precursor fatty acid you need in order to create EPA/DHA. EPA/DHA is necessary to balance eicosanoids, which are hormone-like substances that have very powerful effects in your body. A deficiency in EPA/DHA definitely predisposes you toward chronic health problems.*

The quality of this fish oil is unsurpassed.

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Inositol may help to reduce insulin resistance and improve mood.

It facilitates fat metabolism in the liver. This is important because, according to research, the majority of women with PCOS have some degree of fatty liver degeneration.

Inositol may improve ovulation. In one study, 136 PCOS women took inositol (100 mg., twice daily) for 14 weeks. Another group of PCOS women took placebo pills. The ovulation frequency was significantly higher in the treated group (23%) compared with the placebo (13%).

The authors of another recent medical study conclude: "Myo-inositol is a simple and safe treatment that is capable of restoring spontaneous ovarian activity and consequently fertility in most patients with PCOS." *

Click here for more information about inositol.

Multi-Nutrients is a high potency multi-vitamin/mineral and trace element formula that provides the highest nutritional value for all systems of the body. It is hypoallergenic, bioavailable, gentle formula that is well tolerated by most individuals.

It is also a potent antioxidant multivitamin that includes the antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, and betatene. Antioxidants are important for dampening chronic inflammation, which is a problem for some women with PCOS.

This formula contains B-complex vitamins that are used in the metabolism of protein and fats, and help maintain muscle tone in the GI tract. B-complex vitamins also support healthy nerve cells.

The B-complex vitamins in this formula will help control homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is an undesirable substance in the body that is often elevated in women with PCOS, especially if they are taking metformin (Glucophage).

A recent study has shown that people to take a multi-vitamin/mineral on a long term basis gain less weight than people who don't supplement.*

Click here for more information about multi-vitamins and minerals.

NAC may be useful for insulin resistance, reducing homocysteine levels, and improving fertility of Clomid-resistant women.

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This formula is for the maintenance and support of ovarian health and insulin sensitivity.

The d-Pinitol component of this formula is a naturally occurring compound, not a drug. The technical name for d-Pinitol is "3-O-methyl-D-chiro-inositol". D-Pinitol is converted into d-chiro-inositol in the body.

D-chiro-inositol was tested in 44 obese women with PCOS who took D-chiro-inositol (1,200 mg once a day) or placebo for eight weeks. The D-chiro-inositol group had an improvement in insulin resistance and a 55% reduction in testosterone levels compared to the placebo group. Significantly more women ovulated in the D-chiro-inositol group than in the placebo group (86% vs. 27%).

In a study of diabetics, administration of 600 mg of pinitol twice a day for three months reduced blood glucose concentration by 19% and significantly improved insulin resistance

This formula also contains chromium. In a small study, six women with PCOS took 1000 mcg of chromium picolinate for two months, at which time their glucose disposal (insulin sensitivity) had improved by an average of 35%, and their baseline insulin levels fell by 22%. Chromium improves the effectiveness of insulin.

This formula also contains vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency appears to occur in women with PCOS and may contribute to some of the biochemical abnormalities seen in this condition.

In a study of 13 women with PCOS, five were found to have obvious vitamin D deficiency and three others had borderline-low vitamin D status. All 13 women were treated with vitamin D and calcium. Of the nine women with absent or irregular menstruation prior to vitamin D treatment, seven experienced normalization of their menstrual cycles within two months and the other two became pregnant. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding also resolved.

Low vitamin D has been linked to insulin resistance, obesity and fatty liver degeneration.

Functions of vitamin D include improved insulin sensitivity, better bone health, reduction of inflammation, and longer lifespan.

This formula represents a strategy to promote, improve and support ovarian health and insulin sensitivity, resulting in better overall health.*

This product is independently tested for authenticity, potency and purity.

Click here for more information about d-pinitol or vitamin D or chromium.

Women with PCOS tend to have higher levels of the male hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) than other women. DHT is the hormone partly responsible for male-pattern hair growth and male-pattern hair loss in women.

Saw Palmetto berry, pygeum and nettles each contain substances that inhibit the conversion of testosterone into DHT and thus have a dampening effect on DHT, a primary driver of male-pattern hair growth.

Pygeum contains substances that have been reported to work synergistically to reduce levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, and testosterone, excessive levels of which create problems for PCOS. *

Click here for more information about ingredients in Saw Palmetto/Pygeum/Nettle Root.

Slentiva (tm) is a delicious chocolate-flavored soft chew that helps to manage feelings of hunger. It is formulated to enhance satiety (a sense of fullness) and help you feel more full for a longer period of time.

Slentiva contains a natural potato protein extracted by a patented process from potato peels that aids the release of the hunger control hormone cholecystokinin (CCK).

Some women with PCOS have reduced CCK secretion after a meal, which contributes to continued feelings of hunger. Impaired CCK secretion may play a role in the greater frequency of binge eating and overweight problems in women with PCOS. Therefore Slentiva can play a helpful role for these women.

Slentiva uses maltitol as a sweetener. Maltitol does not increase your blood sugar or insulin, unlike some other sweeteners. It also does not promote tooth decay. *

Click here for more information about Slentiva.

Wellness Essentials for Pregnancy is a once-daily nutritional support packet formulated to comprehensively promote the health of both mother and child.

• Guarantees daily consumption of vitamins, minerals, and purity-certified omega-3s to:
  • Support reproductive health.
  • Promote a smooth pregnancy.
  • Enhance fetal growth and development.
  • Relieve postpartum negative mood.
• Supports fetal neurological health with 1 mg of body-ready folate.
• Enhances fetal brain development with choline and DHA.
• Supports muscular relaxation and may prevent nocturnal leg muscle cramps with calcium and magnesium.
• Supplies safe levels of vitamin A with precursor carotenoids. *