Melatonin Information and Side Effects
Melatonin is a hormone manufactured by the pineal gland, a small gland located in the center of the brain. Melatonin synthesis is stimulated by darkness and suppressed by light. Increases in the level of melatonin causes the body to feel less alert. Basically what that means is… melatonin plays an important role in inducing sleep. Two factors are needed for the pineal gland to produce melatonin. It must be the right time...
DHEA Hormone Review: Benefits and Side Effects
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It’s a precursor to both testosterone and estrogen in the body, although it may play other physiological roles, as well. Beginning at about age 30, levels of DHEA in both men and women begin to decrease, and by age 80, it’s estimated that approximately 95% of the hormone has been lost. Some believe that this decline is responsible for the...
Wild Yam / Mexican Wild Yam Benefits and Side Effects
Wild yam extract is derived from the root of a plant that grows in vines in wooded areas of the eastern United States. A related plant, the Mexican yam, is also used as an herbal remedy, and another species of medicinal wild yam is native to China. It is believed by some that wild yam can stimulate the ovaries to produce a balance of progesterone and estrogen, making it a popular alternative to synthetic hormones for women who...
Soy Isoflavones / Phytoestrogens Review & Information
Soy isoflavones are substances that occur naturally in soybeans. They are known as phytoestrogens, another name for compounds in plants that have estrogen-like properties. As a dietary supplement, soy isoflavones are popular among menopausal and perimenopausal women because they may help to ease symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings that are common in this stage of life. In fact, it is possible that the prevalence of menopausal...