Chiral Balance Blog


Stacy Loses Weight with PCOS on Bravo’s Thintervention with Jackie Warner

September 30th, 2010

Castmate Stacy on Bravo’s Thintervention with Jackie Warner loses weight with PCOS. Stacy is a funny stand-up comedian and has lost 12 pounds so far. Are you watching the show? Are you rooting for Stacy?

Stacy’s Progress after episode 4:

stacy pcos thintervention

Age: 23

Starting weight: 224 pounds

Wants to lose: 50 pounds

Pounds lost after fourth episode:  0

Pounds lost so far:  12

From Bravo’s bio: Stacy is an actress, singer and stand-up comedian who recently moved to Los Angeles from Seattle. Stacy has many interests, all of which she attacks with energy, humor, and passion. She loves to cook, paint, and has an inescapable love of fashion. Stacy is very passionate about pursuing a career in the arts and is hoping that Jackie’s program will provide her with the drive and motivation to pursue her dreams along with a body she is comfortable in. Stacy has been diagnosed with PCOS, a hormone imbalance that makes it difficult for her to lose weight quickly. Stacy’s weight loss goal for the show is 50 pounds. Text and image from Bravo.com.

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3 New Products from Chiral Balance

August 13th, 2010

Winter 2011 Release

3 New Products Just for Women with PCOS! The PCOS community is familiar with many ingredients in our new products, but these supplements are unlike anything you’ve experienced. Chiral Balance has listened to the needs of our customers and perfected our new product line.

How They’re Different: precision in capsule dosage, high-quality, standardized preparation of ingredients, and best of all — affordable pricing. Expect to see these products at ChiralBalance.com soon!

Chiral Balance Tri Sense

Insulin Sensitivity
One of the most common symptoms of PCOS is insulin resistance. Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol is one of the most effective insulin sensitizers anywhere, backed by years of positive customer experiences and several clinical trials. There is no substitute for Chiral Balance DCI, but we’re pleased to offer a new support product: Tri Sense.

Ingredients:

  • Cinnamon, rich in sensitivity-boosting polyphenols. Everyone has heard of it, many people take it, but did you know that too little or too much cinnamon can be ineffective? We’ve optimized the dose to 500 mg, taken twice daily.
  • Chromium as propionate. Unlike polynicotinate and picolinate, chromium as propionate is not a suspected carcinogen and is more bioavailable (the quantity of the dose that is absorbed).
  • Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a marvelous flavonoid. EGCG is one of the active ingredients in green tea extract. In addition to being a potent anti-oxidant and cancer-fighter, the ingredient is also great support for insulin sensitivity.
  • Vitamin D3, long known for relieving PCOS symptoms, has years of historical association with PCOS along with dozens of studies to support the supplement’s benefits.

Chiral Balance Hair Health

Hair & Skin
Many women with PCOS struggle with loss of head hair, unwanted body hair, darkened skin in the underarms, neck, and groin, skin tags, and early onset of liver spots. Loss of head hair and unwanted body hair are both caused by the presence of too much male hormone. Chiral Balance’s new product, Hair Health, combines two herbs to help with all of these symptoms.

Ingredients:

  • Saw Palmetto is an herb that weakens the action of male hormones, thereby protecting the hair of the scalp and preventing it from falling out. The herb also protects the follicles over the rest of the body to keep body hair from growing longer, thicker, and darker.
  • Milk Thistle has been shown to protect the liver from stress and even help repair existing damage. The liver is the body’s clearinghouse and needs to be in good working order to maintain healthy skin. Male hormones and insulin resistance put stress on the liver; in one study 55% of women with PCOS were found to have fatty liver disease and most of them had no knowledge of having the disease.

Chiral Balance Vitex

Fertility
The simplest of our new formulations is Vitex, also called chasteberry or vac, a long-time standard of Trying-To-Conceive (TTC) members of the PCOS community.

While the exact mechanism of Vitex’s action is still unclear, centuries of traditional medicine and now modern research both agree: Vitex can improve fertility and help regulate menstrual cycles.

As an added benefit, many of the active ingredients in Vitex are also being investigated as therapeutic agents in cancer treatment.

Ingredients:

  • Vitex Agnus Castus: Chiral Balance sources a high-quality, standardized preparation of the dried berries.

Posted in Chiral Balance News | 2 Comments »

Facts About Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol

March 28th, 2010

Is Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol safe and natural?

Yes, D-chiro-inositol (DCI) is a safe and healthy human metabolite. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) defines D-chiro-inositol as a nutritional supplement because it is a natural human metabolite and it is taken orally. Like all human metabolites, vitamins and minerals included, D-chiro-inositol (DCI) is completely safe and often beneficial when taken in appropriate amounts. DCI is abundant in only a few foods, such as buckwheat ferrinetta, thus making it difficult to get substantial D-chiro-inositol from our diets. Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol (DCI) is extracted from carob and then purified to pharmaceutical grade.

What is Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol?

Chemical Nature of D-chiro-inositol

D-chiro-inositol (DCI) is a member of the B vitamin family. Most people naturally synthesize enough DCI as a part of healthy metabolism, making it from pinitol and myo-inositol, substances abundant in our diets and closely-related to D-chiro-inositol.

The role of D-chiro-inositol in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

DCI is used during insulin signal transduction, the body’s response to insulin. If DCI is deficient, insulin resistance can develop. There is evidence that women with PCOS do not make enough DCI and many women with PCOS are insulin resistant. This deficiency leads to too much testosterone and the symptoms of PCOS. In clinical trials, adding DCI as a supplement has been shown to address this deficiency and reduce the symptoms of PCOS.

Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol

Chiral Balance is the first company throughout the world to sell D-chiro-inositol to the public. Since 2005, Chiral Balance has sold the highest-quality DCI, free of unnecessary additives and animal products. Chiral Balance is the only company to offer a money-back guarantee for D-chiro-inositol. We strive to make information available and answer questions about each customers’ individual situation (info@chiralbalance.com). Chiral Balance strives to support the PCOS community any way we can.

What are pinitol and myo-inositol?

These are substances closely related to D-chiro-inositol (DCI). The substances are abundant in most people’s diets; pinitol in many fruits and vegetables and myo-inositol in meats. The human body can, in principle, make DCI from either pinitol or myo-inositol, but in practice, some people do not make enough DCI.

Is Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol safe during pregnancy and while breastfeeding?

While the expected risk to the child would be negligible, D-chiro-inositol has never been evaluated in a clinical trial for its use or safety during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It is unknown whether it is safe, and therefore the question of whether to use it during pregnancy or while breastfeeding is best made in conjunction with your physician who can help weigh the benefits and risks.

Will my doctor know about Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol?

Possibly. Many doctors are unaware of the benefits of taking D-chiro-inositol (DCI). Chiral Balance provides a doctor’s leaflet for customers to share with their physician. The doctor’s leaflet provides a concise summary of research surrounding DCI with full citations. Doctors can read original research published in journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine.

Is Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol FDA approved?

D-chiro-inositol (DCI) is not FDA approved because DCI is an all-natural nutritional supplement. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves drugs as treatments for certain diseases; however, the FDA cannot approve nutritional supplements in the same way. Instead, the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) defines whether or not a product is a nutritional supplement. The DSHEA defines D-chiro-inositol (DCI) as a nutritional supplement, and therefore the FDA does not regulate the D-chiro-inositol sold by Chiral Balance.

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) states there can be no limits set on the consumption of nutritional supplements. As a result of this legislation, the FDA does not control the sale of nutritional supplements such as vitamins, minerals, and human metabolites such as D-chiro-inositol.

What is “inositol” and how is Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol different?

The word “inositol” most commonly refers to a family of closely related substances and often refers to the most abundant members of that family, such as pinitol. D-chiro-inositol is a very special member of that family. The body uses DCI when responding to insulin, and DCI is not abundant in most people’s diets. Therefore, the human body has to make D-chiro-inositol. Some people’s bodies are not efficient at making D-chiro-inositol, and they can develop symptoms of insulin resistance and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

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Experience Using Chiral Balance DCI

March 28th, 2010

Taking Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol: what to expect.

How should I take my Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol?

In the original studies of D-chiro-inositol (DCI), DCI was administered in the morning before food. For that reason, Chiral Balance recommends this time of day. We also recommend taking Chiral Balance DCI with water, because the supplement is a water-soluble nutrient.

It is important to take Chiral Balance DCI on a regular schedule. If you forget or miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible and resume your regular schedule the next day.

Will I need to take Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol forever?

Whatever benefits you experience from using Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol will continue as long as you use the supplement as a natural part of healthy metabolism. Any symptoms Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol has relieved will likely return if you stop taking the supplement.

Posted in Knowledge Base | 131 Comments »

Online Ordering From ChiralBalance.com

March 28th, 2010

Placing, paying for, and receiving orders for Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol on ChiralBalance.com.

 

Which domestic shipping option should I choose?

We offer free shipping via First Class Mail (3-5 days to most US destinations). Express Mail provides a faster turnaround time, typically 1-2 days.

Which international shipping option should I choose?

We can ship your package by Priority Mail or Express Mail.  Priority Mail costs less, but Express Mail is faster.

Can I order Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol outside the USA?

Ordering Chiral Balance DCI from the UK

Chiral Balance UK distributor, Eco Therapies, exclusively fulfills all orders within the United Kingdom. Ordering direct from Eco Therapies cuts shipping time from weeks to days, reducing the possibility of interrupting your Chiral Balance DCI regimen. Additionally, UK customers who order from Eco Therapies avoid VAT duties, which significantly reduces the cost of Chiral Balance DCI.

Ordering Chiral Balance DCI from Canada

British Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfounland all have HST. Shipments to Canada within these provinces will be subject to taxes and duties.

Ordering Chiral Balance DCI from Other Nations

Chiral Balance can ship our D-chiro-inositol internationally to several other countries and territories: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, St. Lucia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, and Trinidad & Tobago. Most of the countries will assess taxes, duties, VAT, etc. Check with your postal carrier or local customs office before ordering. The harmonized tariff code for our product is 2936.29. The legal classification for D-chiro-inositol differs from country to country. If your country is not listed above, Chiral Balance must research importation rules to determine whether or not we can ship to your country. If you do not see your country on this list, please contact us at info@chiralbalance.com.

If Chiral Balance DCI doesn’t work for me, can I get a refund?

Absolutely. Chiral Balance offers a money-back guarantee. Within 60 days from date of purchase, you can return the unused portion of your FIRST order for a full refund. If you find Chiral Balance materials stating a shorter refund timeframe, please disregard that information. This FAQ stating 60 days from date of purchase is a guarantee. We are working to make our 60-day refund policy consistent everywhere. If you have questions, please contact us at info@chiralbalance.com.

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Coupon Codes for ChiralBalance.com

March 28th, 2010

Where to find coupon codes, how to use Chiral Balance promo codes, and what to do if coupon codes don’t work.

New Customer Coupon Codes

Chiral Balance offers a discount to new, registered customers. To receive a modest discount on your first order, enter “CHIBALNEW” when checking out through our online store.

Registered Customer Coupon Codes

Discount points are earned by registered customers ONLY. Register with Chiral Balance, reorder as needed, and you will earn discount points with each purchase.

Participate on ChiralBalance.com

Chiral Balance has ongoing discussions and we appreciate your feedback and knowledge. Your experiences are invaluable to the Chiral Balance community. Your words help other women, improve our company, and in turn help us continue to improve our products. Currently, you can receive a coupon for your next order at ChiralBalance.com when you share your opinions in the PCOS Community tab. The current PCOS Community topic is: PCOS and Weight Loss. What Works? What Doesn’t? Share Your Story!

Posted in Knowledge Base | 22 Comments »

Prescription Drugs & Chiral Balance DCI

March 28th, 2010

Prescription drugs and their relationships with Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol.

Can I take an oral contraceptive and Chiral Balance DCI?

Yes, oral contraceptive pills do not interfere with the function of Chiral Balance DCI or vice versa. However, taking birth control can mask many of the symptoms of PCOS, making it difficult to evaluate whether Chiral Balance DCI is having the desired effects. Always consult your physician before discontinuing a birth control regimen.

Is it safe to take Spironolactone and Chiral Balance DCI?

Spironolactone (brand names: Aldactone and Spiractin) is an aldosterone antagonist and moderates responsiveness to androgens as well. The medication is often prescribed to manage some of the symptoms of PCOS related to hyperandrogenism, such as hirsutism, androgenic alopecia and acne. Spironolactone is an anti-diuretic. The medication’s anti-androgenic effects are secondary and result from competitively binding to androgen receptors, thereby preventing testosterone and dihydrotestosterone from acting. The drug has side effects.

Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol (DCI) addresses hyperandrogenism in a different way. The insulin resistance commonly associated with PCOS is the cause of hyperandrogenism, and Chiral Balance DCI address this resistance at its root. By restoring insulin sensitivity, androgen levels may lower to within a normal range and symptoms diminish.

Spironolactone addresses the symptoms of elevated testosterone and Chiral Balance DCI addresses the cause of elevated testosterone. Their very distinct mechanisms suggest little likelihood for interaction.

Is it safe to Take Metformin and Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol?

Metformin (brand names: Glucophage, Glumetza, Fortamet and Riomet) addresses the insulin resistance commonly associated with PCOS. This drug inhibits gluconeogenesis and may strengthen the interaction between insulin and its receptors, thereby enhancing the insulin response. For some people, Metformin effectively normalizes insulin sensitivity and can promote ovulation. Metformin has side effects.

Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol (DCI) addresses insulin resistance in a different way. There is evidence that women with PCOS are deficient in DCI. Taking Chiral Balance DCI supplement ensures your the body has sufficient DCI to respond to to insulin normally. Chiral Balance DCI showed no side effects in clinical trials.

Chiral Balance DCI addresses the suggested cause of insulin resistance, whereas, Metformin addresses the symptoms. Consequently, no interaction between Chiral Balance DCI and Metformin has been reported.

Is it safe to Take TZD drugs and Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol?

Thiazolidinediones such as Actos and Avandia are prescribed to address the insulin resistance commonly associated with PCOS. Called TZD drugs or Glitazones, these drugs are often tried after Metformin. Avandia and Metformin are sometimes prescribed simultaneously as the combination drug Avandamet. The drugs bind to PPARs a modulating transcription of insulin-sensitive genes related to metabolism. In a sense, these drugs circumvent the steps of insulin signal transduction that are dysfunctional in insulin resistance. TZD drugs have side effects.

Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol (DCI) addresses insulin resistance in a different way. There is evidence that women with PCOS are deficient in DCI. Chiral Balance DCI supplement ensures the body has sufficient DCI to respond to insulin normally.

Chiral Balance DCI addresses the suggested cause of insulin resistance whereas TZD drugs address the symptoms. Chiral Balance DCI showed no side effects in clinical trials.

Can you take Clomid/Clomiphene Citrate while on DCI?

The drug clomiphene citrate (brand names: Clomid, Clomifert, Serophene, Milophene) is used to induce ovulation and is a common drug used in treating infertility due to anovulation. D-chiro-inositol (DCI) can be taken safely in conjunction with clomiphene. The insulin sensitizer N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC for short) has been found in one clinical trial to improve the effectiveness of clomiphene. DCI, like NAC, is also an insulin sensitizer and consequently may also improve results for a course of clomiphene. In summary, DCI can be taken safely in conjunction with clomiphene, and it may even be beneficial.

Posted in Knowledge Base | 86 Comments »