LifePro Max for Women - Sexual health. Performance. Wellbeing

LifePro Max for Women differs from other products on the market in that it is a treatment for ongoing sexual health – not just a libido enhancer. LifePro Max for Women is a formulation for the enhancement of sexual health, libido and wellbeing, with the added benefit of assisting in the management of conditions such as PMS-related distress symptoms and maintaining the patency of the immune system. It may therefore be used for the treatment of underlying conditions related to sexual dysfunction as well as to assist in the maintenance of a healthy sex drive.

EPIMEDIUM SAGGITTATUM

The female clitoris is a highly sensitive organ containing a high concentration of nerve endings analagous to those of the male penis. As such, it is the primary site for female sexual stimulation.

The prepuce, or ‘clitoral hood’ projects from the front of the vaginal commisure at the apex of the labia majora. The prepuce covers the clitoral glans (‘clitoral head’), which extends several centimetres back along a clitoral shaft before reversing direction, resulting in an inverted “V” shape and extending as a pair of “legs” (known as the clitoral crura) formed of the corpora cavernosa, which are concealed behind the labia minora and terminate attached to the pubic arch.

The corpora cavernosa consist of smooth muscle, and are supplied by the clitoral cavernosal artery. In a process similar to male arousal, the release of nitric oxide into smooth muscle cells in the corpora cavernosa binds to and activates the enzyme, guanylyl cyclase which, in turn, catalyses the dephosphorylation of cyclic guanosyl triphosphate (cGTP) to cyclic guanosyl monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP is perhaps the most integral component in smooth muscle relaxation, acting as a second messenger for multiple mechanisms of action in this regard.

Most noteably, increased intracellular cGMP induces smooth muscle relaxation by three mechanisms:

1. Increases in intracellular cGMP levels inhibit calcium influx and decrease intracellular calcium concentrations.
2. Increased intracellular cGMP activates potassium ion (K+) channels, causing hyperpolerisation and relaxation.
3. cGMP stimulates protein kinases to activate the enzyme, myosin light-chain phosphatase. This then catalyses the dephosphorylation of myosin light chains, leading to smooth muscle relaxation.

Rationale for inclusion:
Studies by Xin et al,[1]  Liu et al[2]  and Ning et al[3]  have all shown conclusively that the icariin contained in Epimedium sagittatum is able to inhibit phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5).[4]  PDE5 catalyses the conversion of cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP) to its linear form, essentially breaking it down so that it no longer functions to cause smooth muscle relaxation. Because the icariin contained in Epimedium sagittatum is able to inhibit the activity of PDE5, cGMP is able to accumulate in clitoral corpora cavernosal smooth muscle cells, increasing smooth muscle relaxation and consequently increasing clitoral blood flow, size and sensitivity. The net result of this effect is increased female sexual arousal.

VITEX AGNUS-CASTUS FRUIT (CHASTEBERRY)

Attracting considerable interest from pharmaceutical companies in recent years, chasteberry, a shrub native to the Mediterranean, Central Asia and the Americas, has been recognised in folk medicine for its beneficial properties since times dating back to its mention in Homer’s Iliad (6th Centry BC).

Clinical trials have shown treatment with chasteberry to provide relief for women suffering from the symptoms of PMS and menopause-related distress. In several double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled studies,[5] chasteberry has mediated significant improvements in irritability, mood alteration, anger and headache in women relative to placebo controls. Studies have also shown chasteberry to provide relief from the common female symptoms of bloating, general oedema and mastalgia (breast tenderness), providing evidence for its beneficial regulatory effect on hormonal levels prior to, during and post menopause.[6] It is also indicated for irregularities of the menstrual cycle.[7]

The effects of chasteberry are thought to be mediated via two key pathways. Firstly, the inhibitory effects of chasteberry on prolactin production strongly suggest that it functions as a dopamine D2 receptor agonist[8]. While controlling prolactin release, the dopaminergic system is also a key player in the regulation of motor function and emotional/behavioural control. Chasteberry’s action as a D2 receptor agonist is reinforced by the latter of these functions, given its beneficial effects on the PMS and menopause-related symptoms of mood, emotion and headache.

Additional studies[9] have also shown chasteberry to activate μ-opioid receptors. When activated, opioid receptors are considered the most proficient of all receptor types at providing pain relief, with μ-opioid receptor activation in particular associated with the analgesic effects of drugs such as morphine and codeine. The activation of μ-opioid receptors by chasteberry therefore provides compelling evidence for its ability to provide effective pain relief during PMS and menopause.

Rationale for Inclusion:
Chasteberry has therefore been included in the LifeproMax for Women formula in order to help regulate the female hormonal cycle and minimise the occurrence of headache, irritability, oedema, mastalgia and other symptoms of PMS-related distress. In mediating an improvement in these areas, we believe chasteberry can promote sexual response, mood and health.

PANAX GINSENG

Panax ginseng has clinically proven immunomodulatory effects[10], which may help protect the body from disease. As an adaptogen, ginseng helps the body to cope through times of change, stress or undue fatigue. Consequently, ginseng is widely regarded as important in the maintenance of healthy libido.[11] Emerging evidence further suggests that ginseng is effective in increasing the production of nitric oxide in cavernosal smooth muscle cells[12]. As outlined above (see “Epimedium sagittatum”) the increased presence of nitric oxide in smooth muscle cells may result in an increase in intracellular levels of cGMP, causing cavernosal smooth muscle relaxation, increased blood flow and increased clitoral sensitivity and sexual arousal.

Rationale for Inclusion:
Panax ginseng has therefore been included in the Lifepro Max for Women formula for the general maintenance of health and promotion of libido in the face of the natural hormonal and lifestyle changes experienced by women.

VITAMINS B9 & B12

Maintaining a healthy intake of B-complex vitamins has long been associated with energy levels. Vitamin B12’s unique Carbon-Cobalt bond is utlised by the coenzyme methylmalonyl coenzyme A mutase (MUT) to convert methylmalonyl coenzyme A to succinyl coenzyme A, an essential step in the extraction of energy from proteins and fats. Furthermore, deficient levels of vitamins B9 and B12 are linked with increased levels of the amino acid homocysteine and a decreased ability to produce methionine and tetrahydrofolate, both of which are essential for the DNA synthesis and subsequent production of red blood cells (erythrocytes). Vitamin B9 is also important for the production of myelin, which acts as an insulating sheath for neurons (nerve cells) and is essential for the transduction of messages throughout the nervous system.

Rationale for Inclusion:
Vitamins B9 and B12 are therefore included in Lifepro Max to improve energy levels, help maintain the patency of the circulatory and nervous systems and promote vitality for the maintenance of a healthy sex life.

TYROSINE

Tyrosine acts as a precursor for several transmitters, and may act to increase the plasma levels of substances such as dopamine and noradrenaline.[13]

Tyrosine has been found to be beneficial in studies[14] in which subjects have been subjected to conditions such as cold, stress, fatigue, and sleep deprivation, mediating improvements in cognitive function and physical performance when participants have been subjected to the above conditions.

Rationale for Inclusion:
Tyrosine is therefore included in LifeproMax to improve physical sexual performance during times of duress, such as sleep deprivation, tiredness, stress and being over-worked.