PCOS Nutritional Supplements Store

d-Pinitol 600

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.*

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

Vitex 750 (Chaste Tree Berry)

Saw Palmetto/Pygeum/Nettle Root

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.

Inositol Powder

Inositol powder is a very cost-effective way to take inositol because it is less expensive per gram than inositol in tablets or capsules (1/2 teaspoon = 2,000 milligrams). Inositol powder readily dissolves in water and has a slightly sweet taste.

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%).

Two other recent medical studies have concluded: "Myo-inositol is a simple and safe treatment that is capable of restoring spontaneous ovarian activity and consequently fertility in most patients with PCOS", and "Treatment of PCOS patients with myo-inositol provided a decreasing of circulating insulin and serum total testosterone was well as an improvement in metabolic factors".

Inositol, in the B vitamin family, is a necessary component of the membranes of your cells and is vital to many biological processes in your body.

Inositol may help to reduce insulin resistance and is used to help support and encourage normal mood levels. It also helps reduce daily stress and anxiety.

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.*

Click here for more information about inositol.

Biotin

Biotin is a B-vitamin. Some health professionals have reported success with biotin for restoring lost hair. High doses (5-8 mg) 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 large percentage of women with PCOS have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). IGT is a pre-diabetic state of disturbed blood sugar that is associated with insulin resistance and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. IGT may precede type 2 diabetes by many years. IGT is also a risk factor for mortality. Biotin appears to improve glucose tolerance in both humans and lab animals.

A study from Tohoku University in Japan showed that high amounts of supplemental biotin helped rats to significantly reduce their IGT. The rats consuming the highest amount of supplemental biotin lost weight even though their food intake increased.

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.*

Click here for more information about biotin.

Suggested Dosage:
1–2 capsules daily, in divided doses, with meals.

Carnitine

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.

Cinnamon WS

Cinnamon WS is a patented, concentrated, 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.*

Click here for more information about cinnamon.

Fish Oil, Ultra Pure 360 EPA/240 DHA

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.

Click here for more information about this fish oil product.

Multi-Nutrients - Multi-Vitamin & Mineral

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.

A recent Harvard University study of 18,555 premenopausal women showed those who took a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement on a regular basis were more likely to be fertile. The researchers said: "Regular use of multivitamin supplements may decrease the risk of ovulatory infertility."*

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

NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)

According to medical research, NAC appears to be useful for insulin resistance, reducing homocysteine levels, and improving fertility of women with PCOS.

A very recent study of 100 PCOS women showed that NAC was as effective as metformin for testosterone reduction, insulin normalization, improvement of unwanted hair growth, and menstrual regularity. So if you can't tolerate metformin or are looking for another option, consider NAC.

Another study evaluated the effect of NAC on insulin secretion and insulin resistance in 6 lean and 31 obese women with PCOS. They took 1.8 grams of NAC daily for 5-6 weeks. A dose of 3 grams per day was given to the massively obese. Six of the 31 obese patients were treated with placebo. Those treated with NAC had a reduction of their insulin resistance and a significant fall in testosterone levels.

An additional study showed that people taking NAC for two months had a significant decrease in undesirable homocysteine levels. Higher doses were more effective than lower doses. Women with PCOS who take metformin tend to have elevated homocysteine levels.

A study of 150 Clomid-resistant women with PCOS has shown that NAC appears to make Clomid more effective. One group took Clomid and NAC while another group took Clomid and a placebo. In the NAC group, 49.3% ovulated and 1.3% became pregnant. In contrast, in the placebo group, only 21% ovulated and there were no pregnancies.

NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) is an antioxidant and is necessary for the body's production of glutathione, a crucial antioxidant. NAC is commonly used in a variety of conditions, including detoxification, respiratory problems, heart disease, gallstones, and excess mucus production.*

Click here for more information about NAC.

OvaBlend (Ovary Support)

This formula promotes normalized hormone levels, a healthy insulin response and healthy ovulation.

Wellness Essentials for Pregnancy