Humulus lupus (Hops)
A climbing perennial vine, the flowers of which are used as a flavoring agent in beer. Hops contains a range of flavonoids, including 8-prenylnaringenin – a potent phytoestrogen. Hops also exhibits chemopreventive activity, as an inhibitor of CYP1A1 – a liver (Phase I) enzyme that activates chemical carcinogens. Hops extract – in combination with valerian – has been studied as a sleep aid. Compounds...
Gymnema sylvestre
Gymnema sylvestre is native to India, and its leaves are a traditional folk medicine for diabetes. Several studies in humans and animals have confirmed it can improve glucose control, possibly by inhibiting glucose uptake in the small intestine and enhancing insulin release. It may even have positive effects on lipid metabolism and has potential for use in treating diabetes and obesity. Gymnema also seems to inhibit the ability to...
Hoodia gordonii
Hoodia is a cactus-like plant used by the San people in the Kalahari to stave off hunger, which is why it’s currently used in a number of weight loss supplements as an appetite suppressant. It’s one of those ingredients that looks great on paper, but has yet to realize its potential, thanks to poor quality control and the use of counterfeit material by unscrupulous manufacturers. Despite the outrageous hype and unsubstantiated...
Ipriflavone
A synthetic derivative of the isoflavone daidzein. Ipriflavone was marketed as a non-estrogenic alternative treatment to counter post-menopausal bone loss and osteoporosis, on the strength of in-vitro and animal studies. Controlled studies in humans, however, have had conflicting results. The safety of ipriflavone has also been questioned. It’s also been claimed that ipriflavone and/or certain derivatives (such as...
Isoflavones
Phytoestrogenic compounds isolated from a number of plants, esp. soy and red clover. Soy isoflavones and red clover extracts are often added to “women’s” supplements, for prevention of osteoporosis, and treatment of premenstrual/menopausal symptoms. Soy isoflavones have antioxidant activity in-vitro, although their ability to increase plasma antioxidant capacity in humans is questionable. Likewise, they appear to...
Hydroxyecdysone
See 20-hydroxyecdysone.
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