Pygeum africanum
The botanical name for the African Plum Tree. The bark is a source of extracts used as an alternative treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Pygeum extracts are often used in “male” supplements in combination with other herbal compounds known to be beneficial for BPH, such as saw palmetto and stinging nettle.
Chitosan
Chitosan is a material derived from shellfish exoskeletons with industrial, biomedical and agricultural applications. It’s also used as a “fat-binding” agent in diet supplements, but studies have shown that it has little effect.
There is limited animal and human research that suggests a combination of chitosan and Vitamin C enhances excretion of dietary fat, but this combination has not been tested for weight loss.
5-Methyl-7-Methoxyisoflavone
Also known as “methoxyisoflavone” or “methoxy.” 5-Methyl-7-Methoxyisoflavone is a derivative of ipriflavone touted as a non-hormonal muscle-building supplement. A 2006 study on resistance-trained men, however, failed to find any benefit.
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 5-methyl-7-hydroxyisoflavone) can enhance muscle growth, but definitive proof is lacking.
Ipriflavone may also be known by a chemical name, 7-isopropoxyisoflavone.
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 have little effect on metabolic parameters in post-menopausal women. Variable, and similarly questionable results have been obtained in studies on both red clover and soy isoflavones for the relief of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Effects on bone density are also unclear at this time. They may, however, have positive effects on levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
