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WWW.IHPMAGAZINE.COM NOVEMBER 2015

The Role of Adaptogens in Women’s Health

The ABC’s of SEO

WOMEN’S HEALTH

001.IHP Cover_noimages.indd 3 2015-10-29 9:38 AM

contents

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

NOVEMBER 2015 • IHPMAGAZINE.COM 6

9 Publisher’s Letter

10 Editorial Board

12 Bits and BitesIndustry and Research News

24 Product Pro�les

26 Clinic Pro�leNatural Terrain Naturopathic Clinic

46 Post Scriptum

20 IHP Gallery - CHFA and OAND

30 The ABC’s of SEO

38 The Role of Adaptogens in Women’s Health

42 Women, Platelets & Cardiovascular Risk

�nd us on4226

38

IHP Contents.indd 6 2015-10-29 9:42 AM


publisher’s letter

T he 2015 OAND Convention and Tradeshow,

which also coincided with the Association’s

65th anniversary, was a great success this

year! See our photo coverage on page 22.

IHP Magazine was be a part of the Integrative

Healthcare Symposium (IHS) that took place through

October 23—24 in Richmond Hill, Ontario. We were

honoured to support this conference on alternative

and complementary approaches to health care.

This issue is focused primarily on women’s health.

Covering an integrative approach to treating female

health conditions, we don’t forget about IHP business

section. On page 30, we will be talking about search

engine optimization that will help your business rank

high on Google and other search engines, attracting

more patients to your clinic.

Thank you very much for being our loyal readers.

Please don’t forget to download your IHP

App to have access to exclusive content and

full-length reference material.

Founder Sanjiv Jagota

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Olivier Felicio

Managing Editor Inna Levchuk

Art Director Scott Jordan

Graphic Designer Kaitlin Yep

Contributors Ashley Champange, Rochelle Fernandes, Sarah B. Hood, Brock McGregor, Marita Schauch, Maria Shapoval, Berchman Wong

IHP Magazine Inc.

President Olivier Felicio

General Manager Melanie Seth

General Customer Care Manager Lucy Holden

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Canada Post Canadian Publication Mail Agreement Number 4067800 The pub-lisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents of any advertisement and any and all representations or warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not of the publisher. The publisher is not liable to any advertiser for any misprints in advertising not the fault of the publisher and in such an event the limit of the publisher’s liability shall not exceed the amount of the publisher’s charge for such advertising. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in all or part, without the express written permission of the pub-lisher. ihp magazine is pleased to review unsolicited submissions for editorial consideration under the following conditions: all material submitted for edito-rial consideration (photographs, illustrations, written text in electronic or hard copy format) may be used by ihr Media Inc. and their af�liates for editorial pur-poses in any media (whether printed, electronic, internet, disc, etc.) without the consent of, or the payment of compensation to, the party providing such mate-rial. Please direct submissions to the Editor, ihp magazine.

Published by IHP Magazine

CirculationIHP Magazine Inc.1235 Bay St., suite 400; Toronto, Ontario, M5R 3K4Email: [email protected]

Advertising Olivier Felicio(416) 203-7900 x [email protected]

NOVEMBER 2015 • Volume 8 Issue 5

Olivier Felicio

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

IHP PubLetter.indd 9 2015-10-26 10:01 AM


feature

Adrenal fatigue is just one of the examples of the

afflictions of the stress of modern life. The stressors

we face on a daily basis, such family and financial

problems, increased work load, lack of physical exercise,

insufficient rest, poor diet, environmental toxins, electro-

magnetic radiation all contribute to more stress on the

stress-adaptive organs, the adrenal glands and other stress

regulating systems in the body.

Men and women respond differently to stress, both

physically and mentally.1 They attempt to manage stress

in very different ways and also perceive their ability to do

so differently. Findings suggest that while women are more

likely to report physical symptoms associated with stress,

they are doing a better job connecting with others in their

lives and, at times, these connections are important to their

stress management strategies.1

STRESS ON THE RISE FOR WOMENWomen are socialized to be the caretakers of others. More

women than men have both a career outside the home and

continue to try to juggle traditional responsibilities after

hours.1 In fact, over 70 per cent of married women with

children under the age of 18 are employed outside the

home.2 Women are often known as “multi-taskers’

— struggling to balance a career with the role as ‘perfect’

wife and mother at home. As women progress through

life’s stages, hormonal imbalances associated with pre-

menstrual, post-partum and menopause can also affect

chemical vulnerability to stress, depression and anxiety.2

THE ROLE OF ADAPTOGENSAdaptogenic herbs are one of the most important groups

of herbs to take into the 21st century. Adaptogens not only

increase the resistance to the adverse effects of long-term

stress but the majority are also tonifying, immune-stimu-

lating and increase the general sense of well-being.4

The term “adaptogen” was first defined by Russian

pharmacologist Nikolai Lazarev in 1947. These herbs were

classified as a group of substances that could improve the

body’s nonspecific resistance after being exposed to various

stressing factors, promoting a state of adaptation to that

exceptional situation. Israel Brekhman, his successor,

established that a plant should meet four requirements in

order to be considered an adaptogen: (1) it is harmless to

the host; (2) it has a general, nonspecific effect; (3) it

increases the resistance of the recipient to a variety of

physical, chemical, or biological stressors; and (4) it acts

as a general stabilizer/normalizer. 3

The Role ofAdaptogens inWomen’s Health

By Marita Schauch (BSc, ND)

Peer reviewed by Berchman Wong (BSc, ND), Brock McGregor (BSc, ND), Rochelle Fernandes, MSc., ND (Cand.)

IHP CoverStory.indd 38 2015-10-22 3:07 PM


feature

By 1984 Russian scientists had published in excess of

1,500 pharmacological and clinical studies on adaptogenic

herbs and research continues today with little doubt that

adaptogens increase an organism’s adaptation to stress

and have a normalizing influence on our physiology.4

The various phases of hormonal change, such as monthly

premenstrual time, the perimenopause transition and

pregnancy, can challenge a woman’s stress adaptation

mechanisms. The ‘hallmark’ hormone of stress, cortisol,

is synthesized in the adrenal cortex and regulated via the

HPA axis. The effects of cortisol are felt virtually throughout

the entire body and impact several mechanisms—especially

the regulation of hormonal balance in women. For example,

chronic stress suppresses gonadotropin hormones from

the pituitary that act on the ovaries and testes, which can

lead to the disruption of a normal menstrual cycle and

eventually lead to the complete impairment of reproductive

function.6

There are several adaptogenic herbs that have been

studied extensively and proven very effective in the support

of the body during times of increased demands and stress.3

Most notable are Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea), Ashwagandha

(Withania somnifera), Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus

senticosus) and Maca (Lepidium meyenii). Given the strong

connection between cortisol and its impact on hormonal

balance, there is an absolute role for adaptogens in women’s

health.

RHODIOLA ROSEARhodiola rosea (also known as golden root and Arctic root)

has been categorized as an adaptogen by Russian research-

ers due to its ability to increase resistance to a variety of

chemical, biological and physical stressors. It has been

used in the traditional medicine systems of Eastern Europe

and Asia for more than 3,000 years with a reputation for

stimulating the nervous system, improving depression,

enhancing work performance, improving sleep, eliminating

fatigue and preventing high-altitude sickness.3 Rhodiola

seems to help the body adapt to stress by affecting the

levels and activity of serotonin, dopamine and norepineph-

rine.3 It is believed that the changes in the above mono-

amine levels are due to inhibition of the activity of the

enzymes responsible for monoamine degradation and

facilitation of neurotransmitter transport within the brain.15

Rhodiola appears to offer an advantage over other

adaptogens due to its ability to exert relaxation and anti-

anxiety in periods of acute stress. In one randomized,

placebo-controlled trial of 60 patients with stress-related

fatigue, rhodiola was found to have an antifatigue effect

that increased mental performance, particularly the ability

to concentrate; it also decreased the cortisol response to

stress of awakening from sleep.7

Rhodiola may also enhance fertility. It has been shown

to enhance thyroid function in animal studies as well as

improve egg maturation. This led to a study of 40 women

with amenorrhea and infertility to be treated with 100 mg

of rhodiola twice daily for two weeks. Normal menses were

restored in 25 women, 11 of whom became pregnant.8

Rhodiola has a very low level of toxicity. Some anxious

individuals may be over activated and become agitated

with Rhodiola. Rhodiola is not recommended for individuals

with bipolar disorder.3

ASHWAGANDHA (WITHANIA SOMNIFERA) Also known as Indian ginseng, Ashwagandha is considered

an adaptogen and rejuvenating tonic in Ayurveda. It pro-

vides both adrenal and immune support, increasing resis-

tance to environmental stressors, is beneficial for pain

relief, has antioxidant effects, reducing inflammation and

stimulating thyroid function, has anti-stress effects by

modulating cortisol levels as well as stimulates respiratory

and immune function.3 In fact, in one double blind study,

chronically stressed individuals taking Ashwagandha had

significant reductions in anxiety, serum cortisol, C-reactive

Men and women respond differently to stress, both physically and mentally. They attempt to manage stress in very different ways and also

perceive their ability to do so differently.



protein, pulse rate, and blood pressure compared with the

placebo group.9

Reductions in cortisol as well as optimal thyroid function

may encourage balanced hormones for optimal fertility in

those women struggling to conceive.11

Toxicity studies in humans are limited with

ashwagandha.

SIBERIAN GINSENG (ELEUTHEROCOCCUS SENTICOSUS) Siberian ginseng, also known as eleuthero, has been used

for centuries in Eastern countries, including China and

Russia as an “adaptogen”. Research indicates that

Eleutherococcus increases the ability to accommodate to

adverse physical conditions, improve mental performance,

and enhance the quality of work under stressful conditions.3

Research has also shown decreases in the testosterone:

cortisol ratio as well as improvements in heart rate and

systolic and diastolic blood pressure in response to a par-

ticular stressor. In fact, Eleutherococcus accounted for a

60 per cent reduction in systolic blood pressure, which

suggests that this herb may be helpful for stress

adaptation.3

Premenstrual syndrome and perimenopause are their

own kind of stress on the system and many women find

their threshold of tolerating stress decreases and fatigue

can result. Fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, cortisol

and thyroid interact with brain neurotransmitters such as

serotonin, dopamine, GABA and therefore, eleuthero may

be a beneficial herb to restore vitality in women who are

chronically fatigued or who have decreased mental and

physical performance and/or stamina.12

Eleuthero may elevate serum digoxin levels.14

MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII)Maca, the herbal root from Peru, is best known as an adap-

togenic plant. Its uses have shown to be beneficial for the

endocrine and reproductive systems— in treating chronic

fatigue and infertility, and to support hormonal balance

and enhanced stamina. Research suggests that maca’s

therapeutic actions are due to plant sterols stimulating the

hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal and ovarian glands, and

therefore, also affecting the thyroid and pineal gland. Maca

has been found to be useful in perimenopausal and meno-

pausal women for hot flashes as well as helping with sleep,

mood, fertility and energy. Research on menopausal

women indicates that maca can stimulate the body’s pro-

duction of estrogen and reduce levels of cortisol. In one

double-blind, randomized four month study of women in

early postmenopause, patients were given either a placebo

or two 500-mg capsules of maca twice per day for a total

of 2g per day. After two months, estrogen production had

increased and FSH and cortisol had decreased. The maca

also had a small effect on increasing bone density and

alleviated numerous menopausal symptoms including hot

flashes, insomnia, depression, nervousness, and diminished

concentration.10

Adaptogens continue to be an important group of herbs

effective in various health conditions—especially in

women’s health and indicated not only to counteract stress

and its resulting damage on hormonal balance but may

also be used to elicit a healthy state. Although the above

adaptogens are considered very safe, not much research

has been conducted during pregnancy and lactation and

therefore, they are not recommended during those times.

Adaptogens have an important role for prevention and

should be considered as key supplements in many women’s

health conditions.

View the references on your tablet.


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