What Other Women Say

I recently went back to work after my youngest started JK. Even though it is only part time, I felt like I was a walking zombie between working and caring for kids and the house and of course the husband LOL!!!. I started drinking coffee and even tried red bull but I felt like I was on a rollercoaster and was constantly jittery. I teach JK every morning and I need to have my energy. Another teacher at my school told me about femmed and since I had nothing to lose I gave it a try and am happy to say it works. Have lots of energy for the whole day. Thanks!

Vanessa
Ottawa, ON

Guarana [Paullinia cupana] for enhancing mental and physical performance
Guarana has stimulatory effects on the body which can enhance both mental and physical performance, increase athletic performance and raise energy levels. The mechanism of action of guarana is often attributed to its significant caffeine content. In fact, it is proposed that the stimulatory effect of guarana is more gradual and sustained than caffeine due to the caffeine-tannin complex. However, not all of the beneficial effects of guarana on cognitive and physical performance are attributable to its caffeine content alone, but rather to its saponin and tannin content as well. Overall, guarana seed may act through its adaptogenic, thermogenic, antioxidant and stimulating properties (Anderson and Fogh, 2001; Carlini, 2003; Espinola et al., 1997; Haskell et al., 2007; Henman, 1982; Kennedy et al., 2004; Kennedy et al., 2008; Mattei et al., 1998).

Siberian ginseng root for improved energy
Siberian ginseng root stimulates protein synthesis in the pancreas, liver and adrenal cortex. Over 2500 scientific studies, spanning over 50 years, have confirmed the stress reducing, adaptogenic and anabolic activity of this herb. It has been shown to improve some aspects of mental health and feelings of fatigue in elderly patients. In a randomized, controlled trial of 96 patients with chronic fatigue, for two months, the Siberian ginseng group with less severe forms showed significant benefit, while the more severe cases showed no statistical difference. Both this herb and Maral root mentioned below were trialed with highclass athletes doing intensive physical activity. Both showed a decrease in blood coagulation associated with a situation that often leads to concentrations of fibrinogen increasing. (Cicero et al, Arch Gerontol Geriatr Suppl 2004; Hartz et al, Psychol Med 2004; Azizov et al, Eksp Klin Farmakol 1997)

Magnesium Creatine chelate for reducing chronic fatigue
Magnesium Creatine chelate has been found to provide physiological support for athletes, as well as chronic fatigue and cachexia. Creatine plays a powerful role in metabolism as a muscle fuel by regenerating ATP, or adenosine triphosphate. Creatine, when given to older people, helps restore phosphocreatine re-synthesis rate to that of younger adults. Creatine magnesium helps improve intracellular energy, improve heart function, and is a mitochondrial nutrient that raises HGH. Binding creatine to magnesium helps make the former more active and protects it from cyclization. It is more effective than creatine monohydrate and decreases homocysteine production, that helps lower risk of coronary heart and atherosclerotic disease. (Smith et al, J Appl Physiol 1998; Wyss et al, Neuroscience 2002; Stead et al, Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2001; Brilla et al, Metabolism 2003; Selsby et al, J Strength Cond Res 2004; Ashmead et al, J Appl Res 2003)

Green Tea for increased energy
Green Tea shows anti-oxidant activity and helps in weight loss. Work by Dr. Dulloo at the U of Geneva measured energy expenditure and respiratory quotient. A lower RQ means that more fats are being metabolized by the body for energy. Those taking green tea showed significant increase in energy expenditure and a significant decrease in RQ. They concluded that “green tea has thermogenic properties …and may play a role in the control of body composition via sympathetic activation of thermogenesis, fat oxidation or both”. A mixture of green tea and guarana (both in this formula) showed an increase in 24 hour energy expenditure in another study conducted at Laval University in Quebec. A number of studies have shown benefit via the stimulation of thermogenesis. (Dulloo et al, Amer J Clin Nutr 1999 ; Berube-Parent et al, Br J Nutr 2005)

Rhodiola rosea for enhanced mental and physical performance
Rhodiola rosea enhances mental and physical performance. Human and animal studies demonstrate increased capacity for exercise, and modulation of the ratio of cAMP and cGMP. It also stimulates ATP, and creatine phosphate synthesis (see below). Roseroot, as it is commonly known, also increases glycogen synthesis in the muscles and liver, and increases protein synthesis and anabolic activity. It also increases oxygen diffusion and the utilization of oxygen, plus reduces the cellular damage caused by oxidation. (Bol’shakova et al, Biofizika 1998; Abidoff et al, Biulleten’ Eksper Biol Med 136:12)

Yerba Mate for combating fatigue
Yerba Mate is the beverage of choice for a large number of South Americans. It is a source of mateine, similar but not identical to caffeine, as well as theophylline and theobromine, found in green tea and chocolate. It has thermogenic effect, helping burn fat, resulting in weight loss. It aids in exercise and athletic performance, as shown in a clinical trial. Yerba Mate has a stimulating effect that helps combat fatigue. (Martinet et al, Phytomed 1999; Collomp et al, Int J Sports Med 2002; Lieberman et al, Psychopharmacol 2002; Fossati. Clin Ter 1976 ; Vasquez et al, J Ethnopharm 1986)

Cordyceps for restoring deep energy
Cordyceps strengthens both the mind and body at a very basic level, replenishing yin jing and restoring the deep energy depleted by excessive stress. Athletes taking cordyceps extract shattered nine world records at the Chinese National Games in 1993, one 10,000 run breaking the old record by 42 seconds. Significant improvement was found in 71% of long distance runners in another study. (Rogers, The Fungal Pharmacy- Medicinal Mushrooms of Western Canada, 2006; Steinkraus & Whitfield, Am Entomologist 1994; Hiyoshi et al, Jap J Phys Fit Sport Med 1996)

Maral Root for increased stamina
Maral Root is a natural anabolic herb that helps build lean muscle mass, increases stamina and energy, and reduces muscle breakdown during long-term exercise. It helps rebuild damaged muscle tissue, and increases muscle mass while decreasing body fat in athletes taking it with exercise. Clinical research shows benefit in work capacity, endurance and a decrease in physical and mental exhaustion. (Gadzhieva et al, Eksp Klin Farmakol 1995; Logvinov et al, Bull Exp Biol Med 2001; Syrov et al, Pharm Tox (Moscow) 1976)

Chicory root for reducing inflammation from exercise
Chicory root’s anti-inflammatory properties that may be useful in reducing swelling, muscle soreness and pain associated with endurance exercise. (Cavin et al., 2005; Delzenne et al., 2005; McAnulty et al., 2007).

Cayenne pepper for increasing energy expenditure
Cayenne pepper has been shown to increase catecholamine secretion, especially adrenaline, from the adrenal medulla. Capsaicin, the major component is readily transported from the gut around the body and is know to increase energy expenditure in the body and boost basal metabolism. (Kawada et al, Proced Soc Exp Bio Med 1988 ; Doucet et al, Eur J Clin Nutr 1997)

Chromium Rice Chelate for regulating blood sugar levels
Chromium Rice Chelate is a safe, natural organic source of a mineral essential for building muscle, regulating blood sugar levels. Forms of chromium appear to benefit depressed patients with severe carbohydrate cravings. It also shortens the QT interval in type 2 diabetic patients. )Docherty et al, J Psychiatr Pract 2005 ; Vrtovec et al, Am Heart J 2005)