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The Willner Window Product Reference Catalog, Winter 2017
Since 1911
•
Willner Chemists: The Nutritional Supplement Professionals
Grape Seed Extract and Menopause
Proanthocyanidins are powerful antioxidants that belong to
a class of plant chemicals called flavonoids, also called
bioflavonoids, and are found in nearly all species of fruit,
vegetables, and many medicinal herbs. Interestingly, grape
seed extract can act as an aromatase inhibitor, (a substance
that prevents the enzyme aromatase from converting
testosterone to estrogen), which may protect against breast
cancer but wouldn't normally be considered a remedy for
menopause. However, there may be other mechanisms in
grape seed extract that help with menopause symptoms. This
is good news for women who suffer from menopause
symptoms, but want to avoid herbs that contain phyto-
estrogens. Other advantages for adding grape seed extract to
your regimen would be increased circulatory blood flow,
maintain healthy blood pressure, blood vessel health, brain
health, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. The supplement
called Pycnogenol, from French Maritime Pine Bark Extract,
has very similar actions as grape seed extract and can be used
interchangeably.
Here are a few of the
Grape Seed Extract products we carry:
OPC 95 by Jarrow
90 Capsules, Product Code: 24334
Grape Seed Extract 150 BP
Healthy Origins
60 Capsules, Product Code: 59368
Grape Seed Extract 250 Mg by Seagate
90 Capsules, Product Code: 29977
Menopause symptoms can be a difficult to manage some-
times, so you may want to familiarize yourself with other
products that can also help:
-
Black Cohosh
. One of the most widely used herbs for
alleviating menopause symptoms.
-
Chaste Tree Berry
, also known as Vitex, or agnus castus. A
very useful herb for regulating menstrual cycles and
perimenopause symptoms.
-
Maca
. Helps with libido.
-
Soy Isoflavones
. To help alleviate symptoms and supports
bone health.
-
Estrovera
by Metagenics. Recommended by our
nutritionists and pharmacists, it contains ERr 731® an herbal
extract of Siberian rhubarb.
-
Pueraria Mirifica
also called Thai Kudzu. Effective for many
menopause symptoms.
Here are a few of these
products we carry:
Willner Chemists Phyto-Tech™ Black Cohosh
500 Mg, 90 Vcaps, Product Code 60120
Willner Chemists Phyto-Tech™ Chaste Tree Berry 1:2
1 oz Liquid, Product Code: 56989
Willner Chemists Phyto-Tech™ Maca 1:2
1 oz Liquid, Product Code: 57076
Estrovera by Metagenics
30 Tablets, Product Code: 64104.
PM Phytogen Complex (Pueraria Mirifica), By Solgar
60 Tablets, Product Code: 52979
There are many menopause products that contain
combinations of herbs that work quite well.
Here are a few:
Womens Balance by Gaia Herbs
60 Softgels, Product Code: 38161
Hot Flash by Source Naturals
90 Tablets, Product Code: 29311
Willner Chemists Phyto-Tech™ Menopause Complex
1 oz, Product Code: 57084
EstroG-100 by Doctor’s Best
30 Vegetarian Capsules, Product Code: 62920
Women who are post menopausal should be aware of
bone loss or osteoporosis.
Declining estrogen levels slow down bone regeneration
and put you at risk. It would be wise to take a
comprehensive bone formula that contains all of the nutrients
that support and protect bone.
Here are some examples:
Bone Up by Jarrow
240 Capsules, Product Code: 23115
Grow Bone by Garden of Life
Kit, Product Code: 57655
Bone Restore w/K2 by LifeExtention
120 Capsules, Product code: 62932
For convenient online ordering,
Visit us at
Additional Comments from Sam Forbes, CN
D
octors were interested in the effects of
proanthocyanidins—a kind of antioxi-
dant polyphenol in grape seeds—on
menopausal symptoms, body composition,
and measures of heart health in women. In
this study, 91 women aged 40 to 60 who
had at least one menopausal symptom took a
placebo, 100 mg of grape seed proantho-
cyanidin extract, or 200 mg of grape seed
extract per day.
After four weeks, while there was no
change for placebo, women taking either
dose of grape seed extract had significantly
lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
After eight weeks, while the placebo group
had not improved, women in both grape
seed groups reported having fewer hot flash-
es, less anxiety, and less insomnia. The
women taking either dose of grape seed
extract also had increased muscle mass.
Discussing the findings, doctors said proan-
thocyanidins from grape seed have many
times the antioxidant power of vitamins C or
E, and that this study showed grape seed
extract safely reduced menopausal symptoms
in women while improving body composition
and heart health.
Reference: Menopause; September, 2014,
Vol. 21, No. 9, 990-6
While this study and the comments by
Sam Forbes highlight the effects of
proanthocyanidins on menopause, I think
there is another important message that
merits comment.
Proantocyanidins (or polyphenols,
flavonoids, etc) are powerful, natural
antioxidants found in plants. Another name
for these substances is “phytoantioxidants.”
The health benefits of these substances are
far reaching and varied. The study
mentioned here focused on menopausal
symptoms, blood pressure and body
composition. Sam mentioned numerous
other benefits. These other benefits can
range from cardiovascular and anti-
inflammatory to anti-cancer and anti-aging.
For this reason, I have always
recommended that a “phytoantioxidant”
supplement be included in any good,
comprehensive supplement regimen. Most
quality multivitamin supplements include
the vitamin and mineral antioxidants—
vitamin C, vitamin E, Selenium, etc—but, as
mentioned above, phytoantioxidants are
more powerful and add an additional
dimension.
This is the reason we added the two
products,
Antiox Phyto Complex II
Capsules
and
Antiox Phyto Blend Drops
into our Willner Chemists Phyto-Tech™ line.
Either product, or both, can be
incorporated into your daily supplement
program. The drops are convenient, easily
added to juice, water or even your favorite
evening cocktail. The capsules are a bit
stronger, and can be taken once or twice
daily along with your other supplements.
In addition to the phytoantioxidants from
Grape Skin and Grape Seed extracts, Antiox
Phyto Complex II contains
phytoantioxidants from Acai Berry,
Mangosteen, Gogi Berry, Pomegranate and
Green Tea Leaf.
Willner Chemists Phyto-Tech™ Antiox Phyto Blend
1fl oz, Product Code: 57551
Full details can be found on page 9 of this catalog (online, at
).
Willner Chemists Phyto-Tech™ Antiox Phyto Complex II
90 Veggie Capsules, Product Code: 63745
Full details can be found on page 16 of this catalog (online, at
).
Both products are on sale, 32% off list, until February 10th, 2017.
Additional Comments from Don Goldberg, RPH