Why do you need a healthy endocrine system and what can you do to improve it?* **

The endocrine system produces hormones regulating just about everything in the body: metabolism, growth, tissue regeneration, sexual health, reproductive health, sleep, and mood, as well as development. So, if the endocrine system isn’t working, we can feel its impact in many different ways.

Let’s understand the endocrine system a bit to see how we can aid the body to keep it in balance. This dynamic system is made up of the thyroid and pituitary glands, the parathyroid and adrenal glands, the pancreas, ovaries (women), and testicles (males). Glands are responsible for removing and repurposing blood impurities. The repurposed chemicals, or hormones, are targeted to help specific organs, cells, and tissues. Some hormones are useful for the whole body, such as those produced by the thyroid, which affects the heart, brain, skin, growth, temperature regulation, fertility, digestion, and even muscle strength. 

The endocrine system can often be the guilty party with hard to trace down symptoms that impact health. They can occur like “symptom storms” appearing and disappearing in different parts of the body. Additionally, endocrine issues can produce severe health conditions like diabetes, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, and thyroid tumors. 

Our goal is to keep the endocrine system humming along in tip-top condition to provide all of the natural chemicals that we need to be happy and healthy, keep our weight down, have healthy sex, and stave off brain fog. So how can we help our body to accomplish all of this?

FGF SUPPORT is uniquely formulated with ingredients carefully chosen to provide maximum assistance to the endocrine system. 

Here are some of the ingredients and their historical benefits:

Vitamin C
We hear so much about vitamin C’s stellar benefits to the immune system that its other benefits are often overshadowed. Vitamin C also plays into the function of the adrenal cortex and medulla. In addition, studies indicate that individuals with fatigue and depression who were low in vitamin C experienced an improvement in mood and anxiety when they supplemented with vitamin C.

Vitamin B3 (niacinamide)
As one of the eight essential B vitamins, B3 is a significant player in cellular metabolism, cell signaling, and making and repairing DNA. For this reason, the list of possible conditions that it can positively impact is long: arthritis, heart health, psoriasis, non-melanoma skin cancer, diabetes, brain function, and many others. 

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
Vitamin B5 is arguably one of the most essential of the B vitamins. It is needed to convert fats and protein into energy, manufacture red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body, and help the adrenals produce hormones affecting our sexual health and stress endurance. Its therapeutic benefits also aid in digestive, heart, and skin health. 

Chromium
This trace element might play a role in carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism by potentiating insulin action. It is being studied with regard to helping build muscle mass, weight loss, and glucose control.

Pancreatin
Typically, pancreatin, which helps break foods down and convert them to energy, is produced in the pancreas. When sufficient pancreatic enzymes aren’t present, gas, bloating, indigestion, weight loss, and other digestive issues can crop up. Pancreatin’s enzymes: amylase, lipase, and protease, work together to better digestion and energy.

Eleuthero
The eleuthero plant has been used in Asia for over 2000 years as an immune booster, general stimulant, and adaptogen (a compound that helps the body adapt and handle stress). Additionally, studies indicate it can significantly lessen lactic acid and blood urea nitrogen buildup after physical activity and increase fat utilization. Increasing circulation also appears to have a positive effect on the brain, physical performance, and wound and nerve healing. If that isn’t enough, it’s also been shown to reduce insulin resistance and is being considered for protocols in the management of type 2 diabetes.

Ashwagandha
This ancient medicinal herb has been used for over 3000 years to help reduce and manage stress, increase energy levels, and improve concentration. Studies have found quite encouraging results from ashwagandha usages, such as improvements in brain function, blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides, insulin production, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. In addition, the herb contains a high concentration of withanolides and withaferin. These components have been shown to fight against pain, irritation, tumor growth and several types of cancer. 

Ashwagandha may also help increase testosterone levels, boost sperm quality, build muscle mass, reduce body fat, and increase physical stamina.

Choline
This nutrient supports cellular growth, it’s used by the body to produce fats that make up cellular membranes. Choline impacts DNA synthesis and can even affect gene expression. It is also converted into neurotransmitters that affect the nerves that help us regulate bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate. It also plays a role in multiple body functions and systems such as liver function, circulatory and metabolic systems, brain development, and even muscle movement.

L-Methionine
This important amino acid, a building block for our bodies to make proteins, is unique. It can convert into sulfur-containing molecules with critical functions, such as glutathione, taurine,  S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), and creatine. Some of these molecules can alter DNA for the better. Studies on animals show them slowing the rate of aging and increasing lifespan. 

Betaine HCL
Traditionally Betaine HCL is used for improving stomach pH, anemia, nutrient absorption, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, food allergies, gallstone symptoms, and heart, joint, thyroid, and liver health.

Milk Thistle
Milk thistle shows potential as a complementary therapy for various conditions, including liver disease, cancer, and diabetes. In addition, initial studies indicate resistance to oxidative stress, which may help improve cognition and degenerative conditions of the brain.

Artichoke
This amazing antioxidant rich thistle is purported to lower blood sugar levels and improve digestion, heart and liver health. They are rich in fiber and folate, vitamin C, K, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and iron. 

Sage Leaf
Sage is an herb with promising health benefits and belongs to the mint family. Its antimicrobial nature may help support oral health. Sage’s high antioxidant count may also aid brain function, lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and fight against disease-causing oxidative stress. 

Inositol
Inositol, a type of sugar rather than a vitamin, helps the body process insulin and bind neurotransmitters. Due to its ability in this area, it seems to have great potential for mental health concerns such as panic disorders and depression. It may very well aid in controlling risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome and lowering triglycerides, cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.

Since the endocrine system impacts just about everything in the body, including our mood, enjoyment of life, physical stamina, and energy level, it’s something to invest in and maintain. A little nourishment will go a long way to keep this delicate system working at peak efficiency.

As always, FGF USA products are thoughtfully sourced, made in the USA, at FDA-inspected GMP facilities, and are GMO-free.

Resources

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John T Brosnan, Margaret E Brosnan, The Sulfur-Containing Amino Acids: An Overview, JN-136.6.1636S, Jun 2006.

Grant Tinsley, PhD, Methionine: Functions, Food Sources and Side Effects, HL, 13 Apr 2018.

Yago MR, Frymoyer A, Benet LZ, et al. The use of betaine HCl to enhance dasatinib absorption in healthy volunteers with rabeprazole-induced hypochlorhydriaAAPS J. 2014;16(6):1358-1365. doi:10.1208/s12248-014-9673-9

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Yu Guo, et al, Silymarin improved diet-induced liver damage and insulin resistance by decreasing inflammation in mice, PMID: 27387273, Dec 2016.

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Ahmad Ghorbani, et al, Pharmacological properties of Salvia officinalis and its components, PMID: 29034191, 13 Jan 2017.

Carla M Sa, et al, Sage tea drinking improves lipid profile and antioxidant defenses in humans, PMID: 19865527, 9 Sept 2009. 

Megan Ware, RDN, LD, Everything you need to know about sage, MNT, 10 Jan 2018.

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