byjocelyn Mathern, R.D., M.S.

NutritionalBLADDERSUPPORTFOR MATUREMEN ANDWOMEN

Overactive bladder is a widespread condition,effecting about one in six adults over the ageof 40. Overactive bladder is defined as havingan urgent need to empty the bladder, more fre-quent urination during the day and night, and

incontinence. Urinary incontinence or the accidental leakageof urine affects 25 million Americans and occurs tv^ice as oftenin women than men. Although incontinence occurs more oftenin older individuals, it is not considered a normal part of theaging process.

IWhat is Overactive Bladder?Symptoms of overactive bladder include an urgent feeling tourinate, increased frequency of urinating during the day andnight and incontinence. Urinary incontinence is the accidentalleakage of urine. This often occurs when individuals cough,laugh, sneeze, or have sudden urges to go to the bathroomand can't get there in time. Typically, urinary incontinence doesnot cause major health problems but it can be embarrassingand effect self-esteem and quality of life. There are differentkinds of incontinence.

• Stress incontinence is urine loss during physical activitiesthat increase abdominal pressure, such as sneezing, cough-ing, laughing, etc.

• Urge incontinence is an urgent need to urinate that is sostrong individuals often cannot make it to the toilet in time.Also called overactive bladder, urge incontinence occurswhen your bladder contracts when it shouldn't. This canhappen even when there is only a small amount of urine inthe bladder.

• Overflow incontinence is leakage that occurs when the blad-der fails to empty properly, due to a blockage or weak blad-der muscle contractions. Obstruction is usually related to ei-ther enlargement of the prostate or narrowing of the urethrafrom scar tissue.

• Stress and urge incontinence often occur together in women.This combination is sometimes referred to a "mixed incon-tinence."

In men, urinary incontinence is often related to a problem in-

volving the prostate gland, such as enlargement of the pros-

32 TOTAL HEALTH Volume 30, No. 1

tate (benign prostate hyperplasia, or BPH). Hormonal imbal-ances are a well-known cause of BPH in aging men. Hormoneimbalances are also associated with a weakening of the pel-vic floor in postmenopausal women. Stress incontinence inwomen can also result from childbirth, weight gain, or otherconditions that stretch the pelvic floor muscles.

Overactive bladder and incontinence are often embarrass-ing for those affected by the condition. Having to go to thebathroom frequently or leaking urine can interfere greatly withdaily activities and researchers have found that about one-thirdof individuals with the condition report feeling depressed orstressed. In addition, frequent trips to the bathroom at nightcan decrease sleep quality for both the individual and theirpartner or caretakers. Drugs that treat overactive bladder andincontinence are available; however, less than half of the peopleaffected would consider seeing a doctor about their problem.Therefore, natural supplements that can improve symptomsof overactive bladder and incontinence have the potential tosignificantly improve quality of life for individuals.

Go-Less is a new clinically proven formulation of naturalingredients for an overactive bladder. Co-Less is a proprietaryblend of ELFA 940 special pumpkin seed extract and SoyLife40 percent soy germ isoflavones. The seeds of the medicinalpumpkin (Cucurbita peop L) have been used for centuries as anatural remedy for urination problems.

Soy isoflavones are a class of phytoestrogens, or plant es-trogens, which are suggested to help balance hormone levelsinthe body. SoyLife is a soy germ isoflavones extract containinga standardized amount of isoflavones, as well as other phyto-nutrients in soy that are associated with improved health. Thecombination of ELFA 940 special pumpkin seed extract and soygerm isoflavones has been shown to be effective in the treat-ment of urinary disorders associated with hormonal imbalanc-es as demonstrated by pre-clinical in vivo research.

Effects on Urination At NightIn a study of 39 women aged 52 to 86 years, it was foundthat a supplement containing ELFA 940 and soy germ isofla-vones decreased the frequency of urination during the day aswell as at night (nocturia). Subjects also reported improvedsleep satisfaction. The study consisted ofa one-week pre-trail

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observation period followed by six weeks of supplement in-take. Subjects recorded the frequency of urination during theday and night and the degree of sleep satisfaction. Researchersfound the frequency of urination was significantly improved atweek one, followed by continued improvement (Figure i) overthe course of the study. The degree of sleep satisfaction wasalso improved at week one with additional improvement atweek two. Urinary incontinence was decreased significantly byweek two and further at week four (Figure 2).

Effects on Stress Incontinence

Figure i

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Figure 2

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A supplement containing ELFA 940 and soy germ isofla-vones was found to reduce urinary incontinence in womensuffering from overactive bladder and stress incontinence.Researchers studied 50 women aged 35 to 84 with overac-tive bladder and stress incontinence at two different clin-ics in Japan. The study involved a one-week observationperiod (pre-trial), followed by six weeks of supplement ad-ministration. During the test period, patients recorded thefrequency of urination during the day and at night. Theyalso recorded the number of incontinence episodes andrated their satisfaction with the treatment. At the end ofthe study it was shown the episodes of incontinence im-proved significantly (Figure 3). In particular, patients withthe largest number of incontinence episodes showed thegreatest improvements.

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Effects on PollakuriaPollakuria is defined as the condition in which one is awakenedto urinate at night. In a study of 45 males over the age of 65suffering from pollakuria, it was shown that a supplement con-taining ELFA 940 and soy germ isoflavones reduced pollakuriaand improved sleep satisfaction.

The study consisted ofa one-week pre trial observation pe-riod, followed by six weeks of supplement intake. Subjects re-corded the number of times they urinated during the day, night,any adverse symptoms as well as their sleep satisfaction. Thefrequency of urination at night started to decrease within thefirst week of taking the supplement and had decreased by ap-proximately 40 percent after six weeks. Researchers concludedthe frequency of urination at night was significantly reducedcompared to before taking the supplement (Figure 3). The sup-plement was also found to increase sleep satisfaction. Morethan 86 percent of subjects also reported their symptoms im-proved or significantly improved.

In SummaryIn summary, clinical studies in men and women have found areduction in the frequency of urination at night as well as dur-ing the day when taking a blend of EFLA 940 and soy germ iso-flavones. Incontinence episodes in women were also shown todecrease and subjective improvements in symptoms of over-active bladder were reported. Greater than 60 percent of thesubjects reported improvements within two weeks of takingthe supplement and more than 80 percent had improved af-ter six weeks. The studies show high compliance and suggestsafety and tolerance of preparations with ELFA 940 pumpkinseed extract and soy germ isoflavones.

Dosage RecommendationsA daily dose of 600 mg of Go-Less, providing 525 mg of ELFA940 and 75 mg SoyLife 40 percent is recommended to providethe amount of pumpkin seed extract and soy germ isoflavonesused in the human studies. Point of consideration; the stud-ies used a higher dose for the first two weeks, followed by areduced dose for the last four weeks. To mirror the studies,you may consider looo mg of Go-Less for the first two weeks,followed by 600 mg of Go-Less in future weeks. •

jocelyn Mathern, R.D., M.S., is specialist at Acatris Inc., a dis-tributor of science-based nutraceutical ingredients. For moreinformation please contact jocelynmathern@us.acatris.com.

34 TOTAL HEALTH Volume 30, No. 1 To subscribe call toll-free 1.888.316.6051.