FemGuard + Balance

FemGuard+Balance supports classic herbal hormonal balancing in the form of Vitex, polygonum and black cohosh, along with DIM and chrysin for protection and optimization of beneficial estrogen aromatase activity. Calcium-d-glucarate promotes the proper elimination of excess estrogens. Rosemary, resveratrol, grape seed extract, and EGCg from green tea are included for maximum antioxidant protection. Vitamins B6, B12, and folates (NatureFolate blend) promote proper cell differentiation, including those of the cervix. Magnesium and calcium are also included. This product is meant to be used with DFH Complete Multi and OsteoForce.

Warning on Synthetic Folic Acid: Read about the important differences and safety concerns to consider between Synthetic Folic vs Natural Folate (DFH uses Natural Folate in their products).

Serving Size: 4 capsules
Servings Per Container: 30

Ingredients:

• Vitamin B6........................................ 30 mg
  (as Pyridoxine HCl and Pyridoxyl-5-phosphate)
• Folates (NatureFolate blend)........... 400 mcg
• Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin).......400 mcg
• Magnesium........................................ 50 mg
  (as Di-Magnesium Malate, TRAACS® Magnesium Glycinate Chelate Buffered)
• Calcium ............................................ 300 mg
  (as Calcium D-Glucarate, DimaCal® Di-Calcium Malate, Calcium Glycinate Chelate)
• Phosphatidylcholine ............................200 mg
• Chrysin ..............................................200 mg
• Green Tea Extract (Camellia sinensis)...100 mg
  [standardized to contain 95% polyphenols and 60% EGCg]
• Broccoline...........................................100 mg
  [standardized to contain 1.2% sulphoraphane]
• Diindolylmethane (DIM)........................ 100 mg
• Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) (root).100 mg
  [standardized to contain 2.5% Triterpenoids saponins]
• Chaste Berry Extract (Vitex agnus castus)..100 mg
  [standardized to contain 0.5% agnusides]
• Turmeric (Curcuma longa)(rhizome)..............50 mg
  [standardized to contain 95% curcumin]
• Rosemary Extract (Rosemarinus officinalis) (leaves).......50 mg
  [standardized to contain 7% Camosic Acid]
• Resveratrol (Polygonum cuspidatum) (root).....40 mg
  [standardized to contain 50% trans-resveratrol]
• Grape Seed Extract (Vitis vinifera).......25 mg
  [standardized to contain 95% polyphenols]

Other Ingredients: Micocrystalline cellulose, vegetable stearate, silicon dioxide.

Recommended Use:
As a dietary supplement, take four capsules daily or as directed by your health care practitioner.

WARNING: Do not use if pregnant or nursing.

This product does not contain wheat, yeast, soy, gluten, eggs, dairy, corn, artificial colors, flavors, sugars, or preservatives.

Research Review

• Aids the endocrine system in balancing female hormones
• May reduce PMS and perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms
• Promotes favorable and safe conversion of estrogen
• Provides antioxidant and potentially cancer preventative effects
• Promotes healthy detoxification and elimination of excess hormones

FemGuard + Balance Features:
Chaste Berry (Vitex-agnus castus): The most commonly used herb worldwide to provide a balancing effect on female hormones. Designs for Health, Inc. uses the highest quality standardized Chaste berry material, which helps the body to reach an improved balance of feminine hormone levels by promoting the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in subjects with low levels of production, while prompting a reduction of FSH output in subjects with elevated production. This balancing feature is characteristic of "amphoteric" herbs, which are those herbs which raise or lower levels of a biomarker according to necessity of the individual. The overall effect on most women is an increase in progesterogenic effects, prompting more regular cycles and a more optimal hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis function. Recently isolated novel flavonoids from Chaste berry exhibit antineoplastic activity1 and hypoprolactinemic effects.[2, 3]

Black Cohosh (Actea racemosa, formerly Cimicifuga racemosa): Another commonly used herbal compound in female health, it classically is used to reduce menopausal symptoms by its gentle phytoestrogen action, as well as its ability to mildly reduce the production of luteinizing hormone. Luteinizing hormone levels (LH), but not Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), are significantly reduced by black cohosh extracts. Black cohosh has been shown to reduce hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and thinning, sleep disturbances, and emotional symptoms in various studies.[4-7] Black cohosh extracts have been shown to potentiate the effects of tamoxifen. However, it has not generally been shown to possess stimulatory effects on estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cells. Black cohosh has undergone extensive study, particularly in Germany, and has been shown to reduce menopausal and premenopausal symptoms. The antispasmodic feature of this herb can also relieve the cramping associated with menstruation.

Resveratrol (Polygonum cuspidatum): While this herb is most known for its strong antioxidant, cardiovascular protective, and potentially anticarcinogenic properties, it is also included in this formula due to its phytoestrogenic action. Resveratrol provides general antioxidant protection, as well as a safe hormonal balancing effect, particularly in perimenopausal and menopausal women.[8-12]

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Rosemary (Rosemarinus off.), Grape Seed (Vitis vinifera), and Green Tea (Camellia sinensis): This combination of botanical ingredients provides a comprehensive antioxidant protective effect. Many of these compounds have been demonstrated to have potential anti-carcinogenic effects against female cancers.13-18 Designs for Health, Inc. uses only the highest quality standardized herbs, including an unparalleled 50% EGCg green tea extract (Catethin ). A few of these herbs have even been shown to stimulate metabolism.

DIM (Diindolylmethane) and Chrysin: Included due to their ability to optimize safe aromatase conversion of estrogen to a more favorable balance of estrogen fractions. Improper aromatase conversion of estrogen has been associated with certain forms of breast and other female cancers. Dietary indoles, present in Brassica plants such as cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, have been shown to provide potential protection against hormone-dependent cancers. Diindolylmethane (DIM) studies are showing it to be the most protective of all the indole metabolites. In a University of California, Berkeley study, 10 women between the ages of 50-70, given BioResponse DIM orally showed increased levels of the protective estrogen, 2 hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1), and an increase in the 2 hydroxyestrone/16 alpha hydroxyestrone (16-OHE1) ratio. (This breast cancer susceptibility urine test is available through Metametrix Labs.) DIM has been reported to provide benefits in women with symptoms of perimenopause including PMS, painful or excessive periods, endometriosis, and even cervical dysplasia. Women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may also benefit from DIM supplementation with improved estrogen metabolism and less breast pain.[19-22] BioResponse DIM is made with a patented process involving phospholipids and spray drying. Without this, DIM's crystalline structure, which is very similar to coenzyme Q10, is very difficult to absorb. Dosages chosen for this formula are adequate due to the synergism of the combined ingredients.

Calcium and Magnesium: Supplementation with these minerals has been demonstrated to reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms and may result in more efficient enzymatic activity, less cramping and a more healthy bone density. As in all Designs for Health, Inc. products, all minerals provided are in the form of Albion true chelated minerals for increased bioavailability.[22, 23]

Vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid: Promote proper cell differentiation, including those of the cervix, which may reduce the incidence of cervical dysplasia. Cervical cancer is a major health concern. Regular gynecological check-ups and PAP smears, combined with FemGuard + Balance, can represent a rational approach to prevention.[24-25] These B vitamins also lower homocysteine, a marker for heart disease.

How to Take FemGuard + Balance: 2 capsules with breakfast and 2 capsules with dinner, total of 4 caps daily with food. FemGuard + Balance should not be used in women with active breast cancer. Not for pregnant or lactating women.

1. Hirobe C, et al. Cytotoxic flavonoids from Vitex-agnus-castus. Phytochemistry, 46:521-24, 1997.
2. Milewicz A, et al. Vitex agnus-castus extract in the treatment of luteal phase defects due to latent hyperprolactinemia. Results of a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study. Arzneimittelforschung 43:752-56, 1993.
3. Sliutz G, et al. Agnus-castus extracts inhibit prolactin secretion of rat pituitary cells. Horm Metab Res, 25:253-55, 1993.
4. Duker E, et al. Effects of extracts of Cimicifuga racemosa on gonadotropin release in menopausal women and ovariectomized rats. Planta Med, 57:420-24, 1991.
5. Jarry H, Harnischfeger G. Studies on the endocrine effects of the contents of Cimicifuga racemosa: 1. Influence on the serum concentration of pituitary hormones on ovariectomized rats. Planta Med, 1:46-49, 1985.
6. Nesselhut T, Borth S, Kuhn W. Influence of Cimicifuga racemosa extracts with estrogen-like activity on the in vitro proliferation of mamma carcinoma cells. Arch Gynecol Obstet 254:817-8, 1993.
7. Lieberman S. A review of the effectiveness of Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) for the symptoms of menopause. J. Women's Health 7(5):525-9, 1998.
8. Kopp P. Resveratrol, a phytoestrogen found in red wine. A possible explanation for the conundrum of the 'French paradox'? European Journal of Endocrinology 138:619-620, 1998.
9. Jang M and others. Cancer chemopreventive activity of resveratrol, a natural product derived from grapes. Science 275:218-220, 1997.
10. Gehm H and others. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound found in grapes and wine, is an agonist for the estrogen receptor. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences U.S.A. 94:557-562, 1997.
11. Frankel EN, Waterhouse AL, Kinsella JE. Inhibition of human LDL oxidation by resveratrol. Lancet 341:1103-1104, 1993.
12. Clement MV and others. Chemopreventive agent resveratrol, a natural product derived from grapes, triggers CD95 signaling-dependent apoptosis in human tumor cells. Blood 92:996-1002, 1998.
13. Masuda T, Toi Y. Structural identification of new curcumin dimmers and their contribution to the antioxidant mechanism of curcumin. J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Apr 24; 50(9): 2524-30.
14. Di GH, Li HC, Shen ZZ, Shao ZM. Analysis of anti-proliferation of curcumin on human breast cancer cells and its mechanism Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2003 Oct 25;83(20):1764-8
15. Wei SC, Lin YS, Tsao PN, Wu-Tsai JJ, Wu CH, Wong JM. Comparison of the anti-proliferation and apoptosis-induction activities of sulindac, celecoxib, curcumin, and nifedipine in mismatch repair-deficient cell lines. J Formos Med Assoc. 2004 Aug;103(8):599-606.
16. Debersac P, Vernevaut MF . Effects of a water-soluble extract of rosemary and its purified component rosmarinic acid on xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in rat liver. Food Chem Toxicol. 2001 Feb;39(2):109-17
17. Mukhtar H, Ahmad N. Tea polyphenols: prevention of cancer and optimizing health. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Jun;71(6 Suppl):1698S-4S.
18. Kim H, et al. Chemoprevention by grape seed extract and genistein in carcinogen-induced mammary cancer in rats is diet dependent. J Nutr. 2004 Dec;134 (12 Suppl):3445S-3452S.
19. Dalessandri KM, et al. Effect of 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) supplements on urinary estrogen metabolites in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Nutrition and Cancer, in press.
20. Tou J, Hong C, Bjeldanes LF. The influence on 3,3'-diindolylmethane on breast cancer tumor growth, Invasion and metastasis. Experimental Biology, 2001 Apr; Orlando, FL, Meeting abstract.
21. Fishman J., Schneider J., Hershcope RJ., Bradlow HL. Increased estrogen 16-alpha-hydroxylase activity in women with breast and endometrial cancer. J Steroid Biochem. 1984; 20(4B): 1077-1081.
22. Thys-Jacobs S et al. Calcium supplementation in premenstrual syndrome: a randomized crossover trial. J Gen Intern Med 4(3):183-9, 1989.
23. Facchinetti F et al. Oral magnesium successfully relieves premenstrual mood changes. Obstet Gynecol 78(2):177-81, 1991.
24. Butterworth CE, et al. Improvement in cervical dysplasia associated with folic acid therapy in users of oral contraceptives. Am J Clin Nutr. 1982 Jan; 35(1):73-82.
25. Hernandez BY, et al. Diet and premalignant lesions of the cervix: evidence of a protective role for folate, riboflavin, thiamin, and vitamin B-12. Cancer Causes Control. 2003 Nov; 14(9):859-70.