Essence Nutraceuticals LTD.
PCOSync
Mission: Essence Nutraceuticals Ltd. strives to improve and prevent symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) through evidence-based research, education, and innovation of products.
Vision: Essence Nutraceuticals aims to be the leading resource for everything PCOS related to empower women to live a healthy PCOS lifestyle.
Values: Essence Nutraceuticals Ltd. stands for transparency. Transparency in the evidence-based research conducted, transparency in the products we offer from the ingredients to cost, and transparency with staying true to our commitment to environmental sustainability.
About us
PCOS is arguably one of the most prevalent endocrinological diseases for women with a multifactorial etiology, yet resources available for PCOS are limited and it does not receive the attention that it deserves. Essence Nutraceuticals Ltd. was formed based on an idea- an idea to be able to provide resources and products to people diagnosed with PCOS. As founders of Essence Nutraceuticals Ltd. and as women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), we are committed to study and advocate for women’s health, specifically PCOS, in order to bridge the research and knowledge gap and to spread awareness.
How it all started
How it all started
Essence Nutraceuticals Ltd. was formed by four graduate students in the department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences at University of Guelph. We applied our educational background and expertise to bring to life and transform our vision to reality through the different services and products we offer- all with just one click
Our slogan, #PCOSWeCare
shows our commitment to the cause. Together, we are on a journey to empower each other with the knowledge and confidence to manage PCOS!
What is PCOS?
PCOS, short for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is one of the most common hormonal disorders occurring in women. It is less commonly known as Hyperandrogenic Anovulation or the Stein-Leventhal Syndrome. Females with PCOS show symptoms like baldness, excessive facial hair growth, weight gain, acne, and fewer or no menstrual cycles for many months. This condition can lead to menstrual disturbances and infertility. As many as 6 to 20% of women around the world have PCOS and at least 1.4 million women in Canada are expected to have this condition (1–3). If you hadn’t heard about PCOS before, you’re not alone. It is not widely known among the general public and many females can even be unaware of the fact that they have it. PCOS is a complex disorder, but worry not because we at Essence Nutraceuticals Ltd. are dedicated to improving your quality of life, and that includes giving you the right information and support. We’ve got your back!
PCOSync
Chia Blend
Change the way you view a Natural Health Product. Add dairy or any plant-based milk of choice to PCOSync Chia Blend to create a delicious pudding.
Our product, PCOSync, is intended for adult women and for trans men who are diagnosed with PCOS. Our product can also be used by individuals who are at risk for developing PCOS; this includes adolescents who do not meet diagnostic criteria, but demonstrate to have clinical manifestations.
PCOSync contains multiple bioactive ingredients: chia seeds, myoinositol, d-chiro-myoinositol, folic acid, and soy isoflavones. All these ingredients have been scientifically proven to be beneficial to improve symptoms of PCOS. Collectively, these ingredients create a Natural Health Product(NHP) effective for PCOS without it feeling like it’s just another medication to take. As people with PCOS are advised not to consume ultra-processed food, our product is a delicious, unprocessed, natural product meant to be enjoyed guilt-free.
PCOSync
Chia Blend
Our product is no ordinary Chia Blend. By using our product, you will experience a wide array of health benefits .
Enjoy a Natural Health Product that gives you the benefits of a supplement, but with the experience of having a wholesome food product.
Obtain the optimal dosage of myoinositol (4000 mg) and soy isoflavones (50 mg) which can help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce excess male hormones.
Be able to eat a ready to use pudding made using natural ingredients without worrying about inflammation caused by manyprocessed foods.
Have a delicious product that is also good for your health. Talk about healthy foods being tasty!
PCOSync
Chia Blend
Quality
Essence Nutraceuticals Ltd. is committed to quality and accountability. Our products are sourced from certified suppliers and meet in-house quality and safety standards. We plan to seek the assistance of ISURA for obtaining a Quality Assurance Certification that fulfils the recommendations for NHPs outlined by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). ISURA is an independent, not-for-profit natural health supplement and food product verification and certification organization in Canada.
Chia Seeds
What goes into our products?
Chia seeds are packed with nutrients that confer many benefits such as improved blood sugar, brain and heart health. Chia seeds are considered to be a superfood as it is one of the best plant-based sources of omega 3 fatty acids, with high amounts of fibre, antioxidants and polyphenols.
Chia seeds are increasingly becoming a popular novel food ingredient. Native to Central America, Salvia Hispanica or commonly known as Chia seeds has been used for hundreds of years by the Aztecs in their diets. Currently, Chia seeds are used as whole, ground and in the form of gel and oil. They can be used as a substitute of oil or eggs in baked products to facilitate reduced calories and fat content of products.
Chia seeds come in two colours: black and white. They are oval in shape and are about
Nutrient Composition of Chia Seeds
1 mm in diameter. When Chia seeds are in a liquid, they can absorb 12-14 times their mass. The emulsifying properties of chia seeds make it a great thickening, texturizing and stabilizing agent. They are also gluten-free which makes them a good food option for Celiac patients!
Source of B vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin. It contains minerals including calcium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. It also contains selenium, phosphorous, iron, zinc, and copper
Good source of protein, made out of 16-26% protein. It contains all the essential amino acids for adults, with glutamic acid being the most abundant.
Chia seeds are an excellent source of dietary fibre (23-41%), 15% of which is soluble fibre which can be fermented in the large intestine, while 85% is insoluble and aids in digestive regularity. Ingestion of fibreis correlated to decreased risk of diseases including Coronary and Heart Disease (CHD), Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D), allows proper bowel function, and promotes satiety which may help in weight loss.
Contains antioxidant compounds that may aid in prevention of inflammatory processes. Caffeic, rosmarinic and salvalonic acid to be major compounds
Power of Chia Seeds
Isoflavones are present in Chia seeds, and it has been studied for anti-carcinogenic properties with potential applications for heart health.
Its high fibre content plays a role maintaining blood sugar levels and chia seeds are very filling!
Chia seeds may help decrease visceral fat.
inositol
What goes into our products?
Inositol is a natural sugar made in the body and can be found in different dietary sources including fruits, nuts, legumes, and seeds. It has nine different isomers, with myoinositol being the most common one followed by d-chiro inositol. The body can make up to 4 grams of inositol; however, when there are metabolic disturbances, metabolism is impaired. To top that off, a typical western diet only consists of 500-700 mg of dietary inositol intake a day.
Myoinositol has been recognized for its insulin-sensitizing activity that may help to prevent/ manage diseases including insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and has been shown to be effective for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Myoinositol supplementation has been widely used by many PCOS patients and demonstrated improvements in insulin levels, androgens, and increased levels of sex binding globulin hormone (SHBG). Some clinical studies have demonstrated an increase in progesterone levels after myoinositol intake in women with PCOS which helps restore ovarian cyclicity, albeit the mechanism is yet to be understood. The purpose of inositol supplementation is to restore the physiological ratio or alter the ratio in a controlled way to achieve desired effects. The most effective ratio of myoinositol to d-chiro-inositol has been established to be at 40:1, mimicking body’s physiological ratio.
Inositol Mechanism
Inositol is safe to consume and is found to be well tolerated. PCOSync contains 4 g of myoinositol and 100 mg of d-chiro-inositol. Adverse effects are only seen in doses greater than 12 g a day and these were reported to be mild gastrointestinal symptoms.
What goes into our products?
All these forms of soy isoflavones are digested and utilized in your body, but there is one major component that can affect their use in your body regardless of the form of soy isoflavones. We’re talking about your gut health. Yes, our gut health is more important than we imagined! When you have a healthy gut environment, your intestines will efficiently digest and absorb these soy isoflavones so you can reap their benefits.
There are various soy isoflavones- genistein, daidzein, and glycitein. Genistein and daidzein are considered to be the major soy isoflavones. These soy isoflavones can exist in 2 forms- glycosides and aglycones. Aglycone forms are found in fermented soy foods like miso, natto, and soy sauce, while glycosides are present in soybeans, tofu, soy milk, and other non-fermented soy products.
Soy isoflavones are phytonutrients (health promoting nutrients found in plants) derived from soybeans and its products. Isoflavones are commonly called phytoestrogens because they are plant estrogens that have been found to have similar properties and effects like the estrogens produced in our own body. They are digested and absorbed in your small and large intestines
Soy Isoflavones
Benefits of Soy Isoflavones
They have been found to have several benefits, especially to women’s health. Like their name suggests, they are phytoestrogens, so they function in a way that estrogens do. They have anti-tumor, anti-osteoporotic, and anti-aging properties. So, what made us use soy isoflavones? We at Essence Nutraceuticals Ltd. found that the newest research strongly suggests the role of soyisoflavones in improving insulin sensitivity and reduce excess androgen levels in females with PCOS.
Soy isoflavones improve insulin sensitivity by stimulating insulin secretion and modulating pathways that lead to the effective utilization of glucose. Soy isoflavones prevent excess androgen levels by decreasing the production of testosterone and increasing the production of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) which regulates the access of androgens in the tissues of the body.
What goes into our products?
Folic acid
Requirements for folic acid increases with pregnancy, a daily supplement of 400 mcg of folic acid should be taken to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs). Since many women with PCOS experience fertility issues or have more difficulty conceiving. Studies have shown that supplementation of folic acid, alongside other medications prescribed by physicians in PCOS women increases conception probability.
Folic acid (FA), also called folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that is fundamental for maturation of red blood cells and growth, especially in the embryonic and fetal stages. Folate can be found in foods including leafy greens, bean, peas, and in some animal foods. The folate found in foods may be destroyed during cooking process. Whereas folic acid, the synthetic form of folate is heat stable and is used for fortification of foods or for supplementation. The body, however, needs to convert folic acid to its active form, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
3. How long does it take for PCOSync to work?
To observe symptom improvements, PCOSync needs to be consumed daily for at least 3 months. Continued use is needed to sustain benefits. Check in with a health practitioner to monitor progress and for more than 6 months of use.
PCOSync has many health promoting effects. PCOSync may support metabolic factors that allow insulin to work better. It may also support reduction of testosterone levels and supports menstrual cycles.
PCOSync has a combination of multiple bioactive ingredients that have been scientifically proven to improve symptoms of PCOS and our ingredients are ethically sourced from the reputable suppliers.
2. Why is it beneficial to consume PCOSync?
1.How is PCOSync different from other PCOS products?
Yes! You can take PCOSync with other vitamins and dietary supplements. If you are taking DHEA with PCOSync, consult with a health practitioner. DHEA may increase testosterone levels and may counteract benefit of PCOSync.
Yes! It has been studied that Metformin and ingredients used for PCOSync may be beneficial when combined together to improve symptoms of PCOS. Consult your health-practitioner if you intend to use PCOSync with Metformin.
6. Can I take PCOSync with oral contraceptive pills (OCPs)?
5. Can I take PCOSync with Metformin?
Yes! You can take PCOSync with other vitamins and dietary supplements. If you are taking DHEA with PCOSync, consult with a health practitioner. DHEA may increase testosterone levels and may counteract benefit of PCOSync.
4. Can I take PCOSync with other dietary supplements?
7. Is PCOSync safe to take while trying to conceive?
Yes! As a matter of fact, studies have shown that ingredients used for PCOSync may support fertility by improving egg quality; this extends to women who experience fertility issues .
Yes! PCOSync is safe to consume for pregnant and breastfeeding women; however, consult a health practitioner before use.
Dosage for one pouch of PCOSync should not result in any side effects. It has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated if consumed once daily. Consumption of more than suggested amount may cause mild gastric upset including nausea, stomach pain, dizziness and headaches. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult with a health practitioner.
8. Is PCOSync safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding?
9. What are the side effects of PCOSync?