Provitalize

Product Notes:

Provitalize is marketed by Better Body Co. in the USA. We will post updates on a potential Canadian launch if and when details become available.

Provitalize is pitched primarily as a weight loss formula, which it chalks up primarily to its three probiotics, which have at least one published study each indicating that if you take them for at least a month (the trials range between 45 days and 12 weeks), they can either reduce a modest amount of existing body fat on their own even without changes in diet or exercise (the L.Gasseri (SBT 2055) strain), or boost the metabolism so you burn more calories rather than store them as fat (where they cite the B.Breve (IDCC 4401)), or improve BMI (the B.Lactis (R101-8)).

Although we do not have any products with those exact strains, we do have at least two clinically studied probiotics with comparable evidence and claims: Metagenic UltraFlora Control and Genestra HMF Metabolic Probiotic Formula.

Another facet of menopause Provitalize is designed to address is hot flashes and night sweats. The company's product page attributes its actions here mainly to the three probiotics (more on this below*) and to the moringa leaves, which also has some studies behind it in this area.

We do have several types of moringa on offer, including an Organic Moringa Powder by Nia Pure Nature.

There are also several kinds of other types of formulae available here which target hot flashes, including the medicinal mushroom oriented Menopause Relief (Hormone Rebalance) by Purica; a traditional herb, Black cohosh root, from St. Francis Herb Farm; and especially the specialized rhubarb extract Metagenics Estrovera, which actually comes with a money-back guarantee [pdf].

*Regarding the alleged connection between probiotics and hormonal imbalances, others have explained it thus: a healthy balance of gut flora helps maintain a healthy metabolism, which does entail breaking down and recycling hormones in the body, which could theoretically help achieve hormonal balance by spurring the renewed production of the depleted ones. However, if that's the case, it could be true of any probiotics, particularly a multi-strain formula... and not only to formulas marketed as 'menopause probiotics,' or to the Provitalize blend, which is indeed a very strong daily dose but only of three strains.

Provitalize also provides turmeric to help alleviate inflammatory symptoms like bloating, weight gain, and joint pain... along with a pinch of black pepper extract to make it more bioavailable (otherwise it's hard for the body to absorb).

This makes sense, here, since turmeric can be classified as a plant-based source of estrogen (a phytoestrogen) and there's a fair bit of evidence it can help on all these fronts (especially joint pain, where it's widely used to treat osteoarthritis and has been found to be better in relieving pain than NSAIDs) – even the mid-section. (E.g., apparently turmeric itself can alter the gut microbiome and improve intestinal barrier function, plus it can help improve bile flow to break down fats, which can reduce gas and bloating.)

We certainly have numerous types of either whole turmeric or extracts of its most active ingredient curcumin here, but the most suitable candidates might be ones that have been fermented (i.e., predigested by beneficial bacteria) first to make them easier to digest and more effective: Organic Fermented Turmeric Powder, by Prairie Naturals, and especially Living Alchem Turmeric Alive, which also includes Ginger, another phytoestrogen, which can also help with digestion and relieve both nausea and bloating.

There's also one other major ingredient in Provitalize, Curry Leaf Extract, which they say might be able to help with cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and indigestion. At first blush, it's unclear what those have to do weight loss or menopause, but if you are concerned about those things, we have a whole collection of natural health products that do address cholesterol, blood sugar, and digestive issues – just not with that particular ingredient, which is just as well, since scientific literature reviews continue to show there's a distinct lack of evidence for it.

Finally, a graphic on the manufacturer's site for this product says it can reduce sugar cravings, but they don't say how / which ingredient might be responsible for that, so it is difficult to evaluate this claim. However, if that is something you would like help with, we would recommend Gymnema Sylvestre.