NOURISH PLUS
Serving Size: 30 g (2 Scoops), Servings Per Container: 15; Folate 165mcg DFE (97mcg L-methylfolate from 105mcg L-5-Methylfolate, calcium salt); Pea protein powder, rice protein powder, hemp protein powder, pumpkin seed protein powder, coconut milk, medium-chain triglycerides powder (MCT), cordyceps mushroom, mangosteen, shiitake mushroom, maca, ashwagandha, turkey tail mushroom, chaga mushroom, holy basil, ginger, beetroot, strawberry, mango, green apple, blueberry, noni, dragon fruit, banana, tomato, grape, camu camu, kale, goji berry, cherry, chlorella, moringa, spirulina, alpha-lipoic acid, resveratrol, maqui berry, broccoli, reishi mushroom, coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone), quercetin, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, Turmeric (Curcuma longa), spinach, green tea extract, bitter melon, protease, amylase, AFA algae (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae), omega-3, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium; Other Ingredients: Organic Inulin, Ground Flax Seed (Linum usitatissimum), Psyllium Husk (Seed) (Plantago ovata), Xanthan Gum, Cocoa Powder, Chocolate Flavoring, Steviol Glycosides, Silicon Dioxide
📋 Overview
NOURISH PLUS combines three botanicals with established research backing for women's hormonal health: Maca Root for libido and menopausal symptom relief, Evening Primrose Oil for PMS and hormonal balance via gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and Black Cohosh for hot flash reduction and vasomotor symptom management. Clinical trials support each ingredient individually, making this formulation particularly well-suited for perimenopausal and menopausal women seeking non-hormonal support. Evidence across ingredients ranges from Grade B to Grade C, with Black Cohosh carrying the strongest RCT support for menopause-specific outcomes.
Key Ingredients
- Serving Size: 30 g (2 Scoops), Servings Per Container: 15
- Folate 165mcg DFE (97mcg L-methylfolate from 105mcg L-5-Methylfolate, calcium salt)
- Pea protein powder, rice protein powder, hemp protein powder, pumpkin seed protein powder, coconut milk, medium-chain triglycerides powder (MCT), cordyceps mushroom, mangosteen, shiitake mushroom, maca, ashwagandha, turkey tail mushroom, chaga mushroom, holy basil, ginger, beetroot, strawberry, mango, green apple, blueberry, noni, dragon fruit, banana, tomato, grape, camu camu, kale, goji berry, cherry, chlorella, moringa, spirulina, alpha-lipoic acid, resveratrol, maqui berry, broccoli, reishi mushroom, coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone), quercetin, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, Turmeric (Curcuma longa), spinach, green tea extract, bitter melon, protease, amylase, AFA algae (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae), omega-3, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium
- Other Ingredients: Organic Inulin, Ground Flax Seed (Linum usitatissimum), Psyllium Husk (Seed) (Plantago ovata), Xanthan Gum, Cocoa Powder, Chocolate Flavoring, Steviol Glycosides, Silicon Dioxide
What Does The Research Say?
Maca Root (<em>Lepidium meyenii</em>) has been studied primarily for its effects on sexual dysfunction, hormonal balance, and menopausal symptoms without directly altering serum estrogen or progesterone levels. A landmark 2008 placebo-controlled trial published in <em>Menopause</em> demonstrated that 3.5g/day of maca over 6 weeks significantly reduced menopausal discomfort scores, including psychological symptoms, as measured by the Greene Climacteric Scale -— without measurable changes in FSH, LH, estradiol, or progesterone (PMID: 18781073). This suggests maca operates through non-estrogenic pathways, likely involving hypothalamic modulation. A 2010 pilot study in early postmenopausal women confirmed improvements in sexual dysfunction and reductions in anxiety and depression after 12 weeks of maca supplementation (PMID: 20691074).
Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid that serves as a precursor to anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, particularly prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in 2013 in the <em>Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics</em> found that EPO supplementation significantly reduced the severity and frequency of hot flashes in menopausal women over 6 weeks compared to placebo, with the treatment group reporting a 42% reduction in hot flash severity (PMID: 23625331). Additionally, EPO has been evaluated for premenstrual syndrome (PMS), with earlier research showing improvements in breast pain (mastalgia) and mood-related PMS symptoms, effects attributed to GLA's role in normalizing prostaglandin metabolism in sensitive women.
Black Cohosh (<em>Actaea racemosa</em>) is arguably the most extensively studied botanical for menopause symptom management. A well-cited randomized clinical trial from 2005 demonstrated that standardized Black Cohosh extract (40mg/day isopropanolic extract, equivalent to this product's dose) significantly reduced the Kupperman Menopausal Index score by approximately 50% over 12 weeks compared to placebo, with hot flash frequency declining by 47% in the treatment group (PMID: 16112947). A subsequent Cochrane-reviewed meta-analysis covering 16 randomized trials found that Black Cohosh produced statistically significant improvements in vasomotor symptoms, though effect sizes were moderate and heterogeneity across studies was noted. The 40mg dose used in NOURISH PLUS aligns precisely with the most widely studied and clinically validated dosing range.
Regarding the safety profile of these three ingredients in combination, each has been individually assessed in clinical populations. Black Cohosh at 40mg standardized extract has been used safely in trials lasting up to 12 months, with the most comprehensive safety review published by the American Herbal Products Association confirming its hepatotoxicity risk is extremely rare and not causally established at standard doses (PMID: 15498996). Evening Primrose Oil at doses of 500-3000mg/day has a well-established safety record in trials up to 12 months, with mild gastrointestinal upset being the most commonly reported adverse event. Maca Root is generally recognized as a food-safe botanical with no significant adverse effects reported in trials using doses ranging from 1.5g to 3.5g daily. Women on anticoagulants or hormone replacement therapy should consult a healthcare provider before use, as EPO may have mild antiplatelet effects.
⚙️ Mechanism of Action
Maca Root is thought to modulate hypothalamic-pituitary axis signaling through glucosinolate-derived compounds (particularly macamides and macaenes), normalizing adrenal and gonadal function without directly binding estrogen receptors; Evening Primrose Oil's GLA is elongated and desaturated to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), which competes with arachidonic acid and shifts eicosanoid production toward anti-inflammatory prostaglandin E1, reducing cyclooxygenase-driven inflammation associated with PMS and menopausal symptoms; Black Cohosh exerts its effects primarily through serotonergic (5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptor agonism) and dopaminergic pathways rather than estrogen receptor binding, explaining its ability to reduce vasomotor symptoms without elevating estrogenic markers in serum.
PubMed Citations
- Meissner HO et al. -— Hormone-Balancing Effect of Pre-Gelatinized Organic Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon) · PMID 18781073
- Brooks NA et al. -— Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women · PMID 20691074
- Osmers R et al. -— Efficacy and safety of isopropanolic black cohosh extract for climacteric symptoms · PMID 16112947
- Farzaneh F et al. -— The effect of oral evening primrose oil on menopausal hot flashes · PMID 23625631
- Mahady GB et al. -— Black cohosh: an alternative therapy for menopause? · PMID 15498996
- Dante G and Facchinetti F -— Herbal treatments for alleviating premenstrual symptoms: a systematic review · PMID 21570521
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NOURISH PLUS used for?
NOURISH PLUS is formulated to support women's hormonal health, specifically targeting menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms including hot flashes, mood disturbances, sexual dysfunction, and PMS-related breast tenderness. Clinical data shows Black Cohosh reduces vasomotor symptoms (hot flash frequency by ~47%), while Maca Root improves sexual dysfunction scores and psychological wellbeing in menopausal women [PMID 16112947](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16112947/), and EPO reduces hot flash severity by approximately 42% in randomized trials [PMID 23625631](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23625631/).
How long does it take to see results from NOURISH PLUS?
Based on available clinical trial timelines, measurable improvements in vasomotor symptoms from Black Cohosh are typically observed within 4–8 weeks of consistent daily use, with the most robust outcomes reported at 12 weeks. Maca Root studies showed psychological and libido improvements at 6–12 weeks [PMID 20691074](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20691074/), and EPO's effects on hot flash severity were demonstrated after just 6 weeks of supplementation. Most women should allow at least 6–8 weeks of consistent use before evaluating results.
What is the optimal dose of Black Cohosh?
The most extensively studied and clinically validated dose of Black Cohosh is 40mg/day of standardized isopropanolic root extract, which is precisely the dose included in NOURISH PLUS. This dose was used in a key 2005 RCT demonstrating a 50% reduction in Kupperman Menopausal Index scores and a 47% reduction in hot flash frequency over 12 weeks [PMID 16112947](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16112947/). Higher doses have not demonstrated proportionally greater benefit and may increase the theoretical risk of adverse events.
Are there any side effects or safety concerns?
Each ingredient in NOURISH PLUS has a well-documented safety profile at the included doses. Black Cohosh at 40mg has been used safely in trials up to 12 months; the hepatotoxicity concern is considered extremely rare and not causally confirmed at standard doses [PMID 15498996](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15498996/). Evening Primrose Oil may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort in some users, and has mild antiplatelet activity, so caution is advised for women on blood thinners. Maca Root is food-safe with no significant adverse effects in clinical trials. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have hormone-sensitive cancers should avoid this product and consult their physician.
Can NOURISH PLUS be combined with other supplements?
NOURISH PLUS can generally be combined with foundational supplements such as magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids without known adverse interactions. However, caution is warranted when combining with anticoagulants (due to EPO's antiplatelet properties), other phytoestrogenic supplements (e.g., red clover or soy isoflavones), or prescription hormone replacement therapy, as the combination has not been evaluated in clinical trials. Women on SSRIs or SNRIs should consult their physician before adding Black Cohosh, as serotonergic pathway interactions are theoretically possible given its 5-HT receptor activity.
Who should take NOURISH PLUS?
NOURISH PLUS is best suited for perimenopausal and menopausal women (typically ages 40–60) experiencing vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, mood disturbances, reduced libido, or cyclical PMS-related discomfort. Clinical trial populations most responsive to Black Cohosh and Maca Root were women in early to mid-menopause not using hormone replacement therapy [PMID 18781073](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18781073/). Women with hormone-sensitive conditions, liver disease, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use this product.
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