Abinir Healthcare

Egcal⁺ Tablets

1. Milk Calcium- 1000 mg

The Go-to source of calcium for decades. High in Calcium contains 18 0f 22 essential nutrients. It is safe and versatile.

Cow’s milk is an excellent source of calcium which, along with vitamin D, is needed to build strong, dense bones.

Milk also contains protein, the minerals, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and iodine, and vitamins A, B2 (riboflavin) and B12 (cobalamin).

What other nutrients do you need?

If you don’t drink milk, the challenge is getting enough nutrients to have a balanced diet. Here’s what you need and why.

• Protein

Food sources: meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, legumes, dried beans and tofu.

Needed for growth and repair of cells and to make antibodies, enzymes and make specific transport proteins that carry chemical massages throughout the body.

• Phosphorus

Food sources: meat, poultry, seafood, nuts, seeds, wholegrains, dried beans and lentils.

Builds bone and teeth, supports growth and repair of cells, and is needed for energy production.

• Potassium

Food sources: leafy green vegetables (spinach, silverbeet, kale), carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant, beans and peas, avocados, apples, oranges and bananas.

Needed to activate cells and nerves. Maintains fluid balance and helps with muscle contraction and regulation of blood pressure.

• Zinc

Food sources: lean meat, chicken, fish, oysters, legumes, nuts, wholemeal and wholegrain products.

Helps with wound healing and the development of the immune system and other essential functions in the body, including taste and smell.

• Iodine

Food sources: fish, prawns, other seafood, iodised salt and commercial breads.

Needed for normal growth, brain development and used by the thyroid gland to make the hormone thyroxine, which is needed for growth and metabolism.

• Vitamin A

Food sources: eggs, oily fish, nuts, seeds. (The body can also make vitamin A from beta-carotene in orange and yellow vegetables and green leafy vegetables.)

Needed for antibody production, maintenance of healthy lungs and gut, and for good vision.

• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)

Food sources: wholegrain breads and cereals, egg white, leafy green vegetables, mushrooms, yeast spreads, meat.

Needed to release energy from food. Also supports healthy eyesight and skin.

• Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)

Food sources: meat, eggs and most foods of animal origin, some fortified plant milks and fortified yeast spreads (check the label).

Needed to make red blood cells, DNA (your genetic code), myelin (which insulate nerves) and some neurotransmitters needed for brain function.

• Vitamin D3- 500 iu

Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, has gained a lot of popularity over the past several years. People are realizing how important it is for their body to function optimally and to help prevent disease. A meta-analysis published in 2007 showed that vitamin D supplementation was associated with significantly reduced mortality. (1) Let’s take a look at this amazing vitamin.

WHAT IS VITAMIN D?

Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, is actually a steroid hormone. While some vitamin D is supplied by the diet, most of it is made in the body. Vitamin D works in your body in two ways: it manages calcium in your blood, bones and gut, and helps cells all over your body to communicate properly.

HOW DO WE GET VITAMIN D?

• Sunlight: Vitamin D is made in your skin when exposed to sunlight – your body uses cholesterol to make it.
• Vitamin D3 Supplements: Daily supplementation of vitamin D3 is recommended.
• Some Foods: A very small amount of vitamin D comes from food. Vitamin D can be found in eggs, raw milk, fish (salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel), caviar, mushrooms and cod liver oil. Some foods such as milk and orange juice are fortified with vitamin D, as well.

Benefits: –

Arthritis

• Research shows that a vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and that deficiency may be linked to disease severity. Since a vitamin D deficiency has been linked to diffuse musculoskeletal pain, vitamin D may be therapeutic for pain relief. Research demonstrates that a vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk for the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

• Zinc Sulphate- 20 mg

Many people turn to zinc lozenges and supplements when they start feeling under the weather, and for good reason.

Not only is zinc one of the most abundant trace minerals in your body, but it also plays a key role in nearly every aspect of health. For example, zinc is required as a cofactor for more than 300 different enzymes, meaning it’s needed for their proper functioning (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source).

Plus, with research showing that this mineral may enhance immune function, stabilize blood sugar levels, and support skin, eyes, and heart health, there are plenty of reasons to ensure you get your daily dose.

This article reviews the types, benefits, and dosage recommendations for zinc supplements, along with the possible risks and side effects.

Potential uses and benefits

Zinc is vital for many aspects of health and has been associated with a variety of benefits.

Treats zinc deficiency

Zinc supplements are often used to help treat and prevent zinc deficiency.

Though zinc deficiency is uncommon, the mineral is considered an essential nutrient, meaning that your body is unable to produce it on its own. People with restrictive diets, impaired nutrient absorption, or certain health conditions may be more susceptible (1Trusted Source).

Symptoms of a zinc deficiency include decreased immunity, hair loss, poor appetite, diarrhea, and slow wound healing (1Trusted Source).

Multiple studies have found that taking zinc supplements effectively increases zinc levels in the blood (3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source).

According to one review, most cases of zinc deficiency are easily corrected with supplements and dietary modifications, leading to a rapid improvement of any symptoms caused by deficiency (6Trusted Source).

For example, diarrhea may improve within just 24 hours, whereas skin lesions typically heal within 1–2 weeks after people start taking the supplements (6Trusted Source).

If you’re getting enough zinc in your diet, supplements may not be necessary. If you suspect that you may have a deficiency, a doctor can test your blood levels to determine if a supplement could be beneficial.

May improve immune function

Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications and natural remedies feature zinc due to its ability to boost immune function and fight inflammation. Thus, it could potentially help treat certain types of infection if used when symptoms first appear.

One review of 7 studies showed that zinc lozenges containing 80–92 mg of zinc may reduce the duration of the common cold by up to 33% (7Trusted Source).

Zinc may also act as an antioxidant, reducing inflammation and protecting against chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes (8Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source).

According to a review of 28 studies, some evidence suggests that taking zinc could even prevent symptoms and shorten the duration of certain respiratory tract infections (10Trusted Source).

May promote blood sugar management

Zinc is well known for its role in blood sugar management and insulin secretion. Insulin is the hormone responsible for transporting sugar from your bloodstream to your tissues (11Trusted Source).

Some research suggests that zinc may help keep blood sugar levels steady and improve your body’s sensitivity to insulin.

One review reported that low zinc levels could be linked to impaired blood sugar levels and type 2 diabetes (12Trusted Source).

Other research shows that zinc may help reduce insulin resistance, which can improve your body’s ability to use insulin efficiently to maintain normal blood sugar levels (13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).

Helps fight acne

Zinc supplements are often used to promote skin health and treat common skin conditions like acne (15Trusted Source).

A type of zinc called zinc sulfate has been proven especially useful for decreasing symptoms of mild to moderate acne (16Trusted Source).

According to one review, not only did people with acne tend to have lower blood levels of zinc compared with those without acne, but zinc supplements were also able to decrease the average amount of inflammatory bumps caused by the condition (17Trusted Source).

Zinc supplements are also often favored over other treatment methods, as they’re inexpensive, effective, and associated with far fewer side effects (15Trusted Source).

May improve heart health

Heart disease is a serious health condition, accounting for roughly 33% of deaths worldwide (18Trusted Source).

Some research shows that taking zinc may improve several risk factors for heart disease. They may even lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

A review of 24 studies found that zinc supplements decreased levels of total and LDL (bad) cholesterol and blood triglycerides. As such, they could potentially help prevent heart disease (19Trusted Source).

Another analysis of nine studies showed that zinc supplements could reduce systolic blood pressure levels, which is the top number of blood pressure readings (20Trusted Source).

However, research on the effects of supplements on blood pressure is limited. Further, some studies suggest that low levels of serum zinc may be associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease, though findings remain inconclusive. Thus, more research is needed (21Trusted Source).

Slows macular degeneration

Macular degeneration is a common eye disease and one of the leading causes of vision loss around the globe (22Trusted Source).

Zinc supplements are often used to slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and help protect against vision loss and blindness.

One 2014 study in 72 people with AMD showed that taking 50 mg of zinc sulfate daily for 3 months slowed the progression of the disease (23Trusted Source).

Other reviews similarly recommend zinc supplements to slow the progression of AMD, claiming that it may improve nutrient flow in the retina to protect against disease (24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source).

However, other studies suggest that zinc supplements alone may not significantly improve vision and should be paired with other treatment options to maximize results (26Trusted Source).

As such, more research is needed to learn more about the connection between this mineral and eye health.

SUMMARY

Zinc may reduce the duration of cold symptoms, support blood sugar management, improve severe and inflammatory acne, decrease heart disease risk, and slow the progression of macular degeneration.

• Soya Isoflavonoid- 60 mg

Isoflavones are considered a type of nutritional supplement produced almost exclusively by the Fabaceae (Leguminosae or bean) family. They are a specific group of molecules that comprise what is called a phytochemical (natural plant chemical) found in foods like legumes, and herbs like red clover. Isoflavones are considered phytoestrogens, meaning that they are similar in structure to the female hormone, estrogen. Isoflavones are also considered anti-oxidant compounds. This means that they reduce damage due to oxygen (such as that caused by free radicals) and may help fight against certain types of cancer.

There have been multiple studies on the benefits and safety of isoflavones. In fact, isoflavones may be the most controversial natural supplement, when it comes to weighing the benefits against the risks because much of the medical research varies.

What Are Isoflavones Used For?

When it comes to food items, soybeans contain the highest level of isoflavones. Herbal sources that are rich in isoflavones, including red clover (Trifolium pratense) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Like soy, red clover is considered a legume that contains phytoestrogens.

In their most common form, soy isoflavones include genistein, daidzein and glycetein. Isoflavones found in red clover include formononetin, biochanin A, daidzein, and genistein.

It’s important to note that taking a supplement source of isoflavones and eating a food/protein source of isoflavones—like tofu, tempeh, soy milk, miso, or other soybean products—produces different results (for benefits and side effects).

 

Isoflavones and Estrogen

Estrogens are hormones that influence sexual and reproductive development, primarily in women. Having a similar structure to estrogen allows isoflavones to bind with estrogen receptors. Depending on the hormone status of a person, isoflavones can affect a person in the same way that estrogen does by producing either estrogenic or antiestrogenic effects.

In studies involving isoflavone supplements for menopausal symptoms, some benefit has been shown, such as improving fatigue and irritability and decreasing hot flashes.¹ But, according to The Pharmaceutical Journal, although isoflavones are being marketed as an effective product for natural hormone replacement therapy (HRT), further research is needed and consumers should NOT use isoflavones for long-term HRT until more research is done to prove the safety and efficacy of the products.²

In addition to providing menopause relief, isoflavones are said to prevent some types of cancer and protect the heart. Several studies have shown that soy protein supplementation (containing isoflavones) reduces both the total and low density (LDL) cholesterol in animal and human studies.² 

But there are conflicting study results on isoflavones—some showing benefits to health and others indicating harmful side effects.³ 

Some case reports indicate that isoflavones in red clover help reduce hot flashes and anxiety during menopause. Although the herb is marketed as a dietary supplement called Promensil, the National Women’s Health Network reports that there is a lack of sufficient clinical research data to back up these claims. Red clover has, however, been found to have a cardiovascular benefit, raising good cholesterol called HDL.

Soy in the Diet

In Asia, where soy is eaten as a regular staple, the rate of heart disease, breast cancer, and prostate cancer is lower than in the U.S. But many Asians ingest soy differently than in Western countries.

For example, Asians notoriously eat much larger quantities of soy daily. It’s also common in the East to eat fermented forms of soy, including miso, tempeh, and tamari. It is thought that fermentation helps with the digestion of soy and may even promote the body’s ability to absorb isoflavones.

Many health experts feel that eating fermented soy in moderation may:

• Increase bone density
• Help to prevent breast and uterine cancers
• Lower the incidence of prostate cancer
• Lower bad cholesterol levels
• Improve mental functioning
• Reduce muscle soreness (particularly after exercise)

Medical Uses

There are many common medical uses for isoflavones. Conditions that may improve with the use of isoflavones vary.

Breast cancer: The research is mixed. Those who eat a high soy diet during adolescent years may have a lower risk of breast cancer later in life, but some studies show that isoflavones from soy can increase the risk of cancer.  

Type 2 diabetes: The research says that eating soy protein or fermented soy may reduce blood sugar in those with diabetes.

Diarrhea in infants: Soy formula supplementation may shorten the duration of diarrhea (compared to drinking formula from cow’s milk). It’s important to note that in adults, soy fiber was NOT found to improve diarrhea.

High cholesterol: The clinical research evidence strongly suggests that isoflavones from soy reduce bad cholesterol called LDL. It’s important to note that ONLY the protein-based food sources of isoflavones such as tofu, tempeh, and other soy products were found to lower cholesterol; isoflavone supplements were not found to be effective.

High blood pressure: Eating soy may lower the blood pressure slightly and is suggested for those with slight increases in blood pressure, but NOT in people with severely elevated blood pressure.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Some research found that soy isoflavones may improve symptoms of IBS, such as abdominal pain.

Menopausal symptoms: Symptoms such as irritability, depression, and hot flashes may be lessened with the use of isoflavones. However, isoflavones were NOT found to be beneficial for night sweats.

Osteoporosis: In studies, soy protein from food sources and isoflavones in supplement form were both found to increase bone density.

Studies

A 2016 review published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, reports that it has not been well-established whether plant-derived compounds (such as isoflavones) provide potential benefits that outweigh the risk factors.⁴ 

Still, according to a study published in 2016 in the Journal of the American Medical Association examined 60 other studies and found that some plant-based therapies—such as isoflavones—worked to provide a modest reduction in hot flashes and vaginal dryness. However, the plant-based therapies were found to be ineffective for reducing night sweats.⁵

Several studies, of both animals and humans, have shown that soy protein supplementation (containing isoflavones) may reduce both the total and low density (LDL) cholesterol.²

A study published in the journal Nutrients reports, “As shown by this summary of abundant evidence, isoflavones exhibit impressive anti-inflammatory properties in various animal models, and even in humans, through increased antioxidative activities.”³ The study authors go on to explain that due to the potentially harmful side effects of isoflavones—such as its immunosuppressive (lowering the immune response) and carcinogenic (cancer-causing) effects—the safety factor has not been established.

Possible Side Effects

Most of the side effects of isoflavones are associated with long-term use of supplements and not from dietary sources such as soy products. But epidemiological (the branch of medicine dealing with the incidence and control of disease) data have shown that there is a link between long term soy consumption and Kawasaki disease (KD), and that soy isoflavones are involved in the development of the disease.

Another study discovered that exposure to soy-based infant formula resulted in negative effects on the long-term development of infants.³

Breast cancer cell growth has been linked with long-term exposure to genistein, resulting in what is called “soy protein isolate-induced tumors and advanced growth phenotypes.”

Animal studies have shown that evidence of the isoflavone genistein may have adverse effects on the developing female reproductive tract.

When ingested on a short-term basis (up to six months in duration) soy is considered possibly safe. Common side effects may include:

• GI upset
• Constipation, bloating and nausea
• Allergic reactions (involving rash, itching, and in severe instances, anaphylaxis)
• Loss of appetite

Swelling of the ankles and abdominal tenderness have been noted in high doses of isoflavones of four to eight milligrams per kilograms (mg/kg).

Long-term use of soy extract supplements may result in abnormal tissue growth in the uterus.

Dosage and Preparation

The following doses are backed by clinical research studies:

• For postmenopausal women: A supplement with least 54 mg of genistein (a soy isoflavone) per day is suggested for hot flashes.
• For IBS: A supplement of 40 mg of isoflavones per day for six weeks
• For protection against osteoporosis: A supplement of 80 mg per day of soy isoflavones was associated with a dosage that reduced bone loss in postmenopausal women (protecting against osteoporosis).  
• For general supplementation: Drugs.com suggests using a daily dose of 40 to 120 mg of isoflavones per day (from soy) or 40 to 80 mg per day of isoflavones (from red clover) for various conditions.

Note, the safety of the use of isoflavones, taken as a supplement, cannot be guaranteed when taken for a duration of longer than six months.

Traditional soyfoods have been used for centuries throughout Asia to help ease hot flashes or help with weight loss, but it’s only been in the past few decades that health-conscious Americans have incorporated soy into their diet. Soybeans are a nutritious and versatile food that makes a good addition to a well-balanced diet. In addition, soy foods may offer benefits for women’s health.

If you’re interested the health benefits of soy, discuss it with your health care provider before making any changes to your diet.

Tip

Soy isoflavones may help ease menopausal symptoms and balance hormones in women when incorporated into the diet or taken as a dietary supplement.

Dietary Soy 101

Soybeans are high in protein, rich in complex carbohydrates and provide a good source of fiber. They also contain a class of plant estrogens known as isoflavones that are shown to exert weak estrogenic activity. Soy isoflavones from food and supplements are most well-known for helping to alleviate menopausal symptoms in middle-aged women, but the benefits don’t stop there.

Improves Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a hormonal imbalance that causes a host of distressing symptoms, including weight gain, insulin resistance, thinning hair and irregular periods. Treating PCOS is a specialized process that addresses individual concerns, such as medication to control blood sugar. Dietary changes, like limiting carbohydrate intake, tend to improve PCOS symptoms as well.

Incorporating soy is one simple dietary change that may help ease multiple PCOS symptoms, according to research published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. In the study, consuming a diet that included about 35 percent soy protein significantly lowered testosterone, triglycerides and weight and greatly improved blood sugar control.

Reduces Fatigue in Middle-Aged Women

Fatigue is a major complaint of women going through menopause, and soy may help combat this symptom. Supplementing soy lecithin, a fat that has health benefits, greatly improved energy and vigor in women ages 40 to 60. Lecithin is found in various animal and plant foods, including egg yolks, and is essential to health. The results of the study were published in the January 2018 issue of the Nutrition Journal.

Fights Osteoporosis

Once you reach the age of 50, a decline in estrogen significantly increases your risk of bone loss. In fact, 1 in 3 women over 50 will experience a fracture related to bone loss. Increasing calcium, and vitamin D, along with following an exercise program, are ways to strengthen bones and help protect against bone loss.

Because soy isoflavones exert weak estrogenic activity, research published the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research in 2017 suggests that it may help protect against bone loss. In one study, adding soy protein to the diet of menopausal women reduced markers of bone turnover, which refers to whole body balance of bone mass.

Researchers also reported that soy supplementation lowered thyroid function. There has been controversy over whether soy negatively impacts thyroid function and this study seems to suggest that it may. So, before you add soy to your diet, discuss it with your doctor and weigh the benefits versus the risks.