anticancer agent than vitamin C. Curcumin also seems to have beneficial effects on liver and adrenal function (232).
Ginger root extract
Ginger root is considered an adaptogenic herb (233). This means that this herb can help the body handle stress better. Modern studies have found that ginger can be helpful to prevent sea sickness (calming to the stomach), act as an anti-inflammatory, act as an antioxidant, help lower blood cholesterol and reduce platelet aggregration (234, 235, 236).
Grape seed extracts (pycnogenols)
This extract is high in procyanidolic oligomers or pycnogenols. These compounds can be extracted from grape seed skin or the bark of the Landes Pine, and the leaves of the hazel nut tree. Pycnogenols have a number of interesting effects on the human body. These compounds can increase intracelluar vitamin C, have potent antioxidant activity, and improve the structural integrity of collagen. (237, 238). Since collagen is part of connective tissue throughout the body its no surprise that pycnogenols can have beneficial effect on capillary integrity, skin, and connective tissue of joints (239).
Green tea extract
The active ingredients in green tea are polyphenol compounds (240). These polyphenols have potent antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activity (241, 242, 243). It may be that the popular custom of drinking green tea with meals in China and Japan can help account for low cancer rates in these countries.
Milk thistle extract (80% silymarin)
Silymarin has been shown to be beneficial in almost any type of liver disease (244). It is one of the few substances that has ever been shown to stimulate liver tissue regeneration (245). Silymarin is also an extremely potent free radical savanger or antioxidant, more potent than vitamin E (246).
Chaste berry extract (in womens supplement only)
This important herbal extract seems to alleviate the symptoms of PMS and symptoms which often accompany menopause. It also helps to re-establish natural hormonal balance after the use of the pill. By enhancing the progesterone cycle it is beneficial for painful menstruation, emotional swings and symptoms related to menopause (247).
Dong quai extract (in womens supplement only)
Dong quai has been used for hundreds of years in chinese herbal formulations to help with almost any type of gynecological problems (248). Modern studies would support these uses of this herb. It appears to be excellent to rebalance female hormones and menstrual cycle (249, 250).
Licorice root extract
Licorice root is another superb tonic or adaptogenic herb (251). Not only does it have a health promoting effect on the adrenal glands it is also a liver supportive herb. Since the liver is the "metabolic warehouse" of the body it makes sense that overall health can be subtly affected by poor liver function. The liver is the main controller of blood cholesterol, blood amino acids, blood protein, blood glucose, and blood levels of a variety of micronutrients (vitamin A, vitamin K, iron, copper)(252, 253). The liver is also of crucial importance in the bodies ability to deal with toxins (254). The liver is also a main site for hormone catabolism. For example licorice may be helpful in PMS because of its ability to improve liver function and liver is the site of estradiol (the main estrogen) breakdown (255). If the liver does not break down enough estadiol the women with end up with higher estrogen levels and all the subsequent problems associated with those high levels. Interestingly, licorice is thought to have a balancing effect on estrogen levels (256). Furthermore, licorice is known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and immune stimulating properties (257).
Panax ginseng extract
This herbal extract is famous in older writings for its many tonic or adaptogenic benefits. Modern studies support this tonifying role for ginseng in accordance with its healthy promoting actions on the adrenal glands (258). When the adrenal glands are functioning properly people are better able to physiologically handle stressors of everyday life. Additionally ginseng appears to be able to improve liver function, decrease fatigue, decrease blood cholesterol, and improve fertility and virility (259, 260).
Because of the long historical use of ginseng and its energy improving actions many ginseng products are readily available over the counter. The quality, species, and amounts of active constituents in these products is not standardized and therefore the health effects are unpredictable. In AMC only the highest quality, standardized ginseng extract is used.
Mixed phytosterols (Cholestatin) (in mens supplement only)
These plant sterols are known to be able to decrease blood cholesterol by decreasing cholesterol absorption from the diet (261). Some of the plant phytosterols are beta-sisoterol and stigmasterol.
Muira puama extract (in mens supplement only)
This extract also known as "Potency Wood", has been researched for its ability to increase sexual desire and correct male performance dysfunction (262).
