Siberian Ginseng for post-menopausal women?

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Menopause…

Menopause is not a disease, but a physiological phase in a woman’s life which is reflected by changes in hormonal status. In addition to the symptoms associated with menopause, there are new cardiovascular risk factors which also occur (Rossi et al, 2002). These risks related are mainly due to the abrupt interruption of estrogen, which has indirect protective effects on lipid, glucose metabolism and direct effects on vessel function.

Acantho­panax senti­co­sus (A. senti­co­sus) is a commonly-used Asian herb which is also known by its other names “Eleuther­o­coccus senti­co­sus” or Siberian Ginseng. It has a role in adaptogenic medicine. A recent study explored the role of Siberian Ginseng in post-menopausal women (Lee et al, 2008).

Study Findings:

• The treatment group had significant decreases (p<0.001) in serum LDL (127.54+/-29.79mg/dL vs 110.33+/-22.26mg/dL) and the LDL/HDL ratio (2.40+/-0.65 vs 2.11+/-0.58)
• Protein-carbonyl levels and lymphocyte DNA damage decreased significantly (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively)

Study conclusions:

“These results suggest that A. senticosus (Siberian Ginseng) supplementation may have beneficial effects against oxidative stress and improve serum lipid profiles without subsequent side effects.” (in post-menopausal women)

References:

Rossi R, Grimaldi T, Origliani G, Fantini G, Coppi F, Modena MG. Menopause and cardiovascular risk.
Pathophysiol Haemost Thromb. 2002 Sep-Dec;32(5-6):325-8.

Lee YJ, Chung HY, Kwak HK, Yoon S. The effects of A. senticosus supplementation on serum lipid profiles, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and lymphocyte DNA damage in postmenopausal women. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2008 Oct 10;375(1):44-8. Epub 2008 Jul 29.

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Filed under Anti-Aging, alternative health, antioxidants, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, cholesterol, menopause

Tags: menopause, oxidative stress, siberian ginseng