Yam Extract & Natural Progesterone

The following has been composed to help clear up the confusion over the efficacy (effectiveness) or proper use of Yam extract (Dioscorea Villosa) and Natural Progesterone:

Many enquiries have been received from women suffering due to their not having responded to a variety of other traditional treatments or whom had been using a "yam cream". Complicating matters are a number of companies claiming or implying that their "yam creams" will manufacture natural progesterone in the body, or even actually contain Natural Progesterone, when in fact an examination of their ingredients reveals that they only contain Wild Mexican Yam extract. Some companies have even erroneously stated formally: "This plant makes a substance identical to the progesterone produced by the human body".

All the medical research reviewed on Progesterone demonstrates that it is supplemental Natural Progesterone that will produce an increase in saliva & serum levels of progesterone, not Yam extract.

It is important to note that Yam contains plant saponins that have been shown to benefit women's health as an adaptagen. However, what is at issue are biological progesterone levels and progesterone's known balancing effects on oestrogen with subsequent relief from the symptoms of Menopause and PMT and it's ability to correct the conditions of Infertility & Osteoporosis.

In his book, "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause" on page 270, Dr. Lee states "…there is no evidence that the human body converts diosgenin (found in Mexican Wild Yam) to hormones." Dr. David Zava, (PhD in Bio Endocrinology whose focus has been progesterone and oestrogen receptor activity) is the Laboratory Director of Aeron Life Cycles, one the foremost hormone testing facilities in the world. Dr. Zava has tested progesterone levels for many thousands of women and responded with the following: "In response to your question about wild yam steroids - do they convert into progesterone? The answer is no, there are no enzymes in the human body that will convert diosgenin, the active component of wild yams, into progesterone. This does not mean diosgenin is without activity in the body as it has been used by phytotherapists for centuries as an adaptagen."

As a further disservice to the women who suffer with the symptoms brought on by "oestrogen dominance" some company representatives will tell you that Yam extract (diosgenin) is molecularly the same as Natural Progesterone and that users of their "progesterone cream" will find the same benefit as they would with a cream that really contains USP Natural Progesterone. Current published medical research and clinical experience do not support that claim.

Dr Lee refers to Yam Extract Creams in one of his books under the heading "The Yam Scam".