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Question: Wild Yam

by Diane Y

Hi Wray, I noticed that in your info one of the products you compared was ProGest. When I looked on their site and the ingredients it stated this:

"Our natural progesterone is formulated from a substance found in Mexican wild yams..."

I am confused. Do companies that use wild yams extract the diosgenin and convert it in the lab to USP progesterone and then add it to their creams? Because as stated the body cannot convert this on its own?

Thanks!

Comments for Question: Wild Yam

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Jul 22, 2010
 Question: Wild Yam
by: Wray

Hi Diane You are correct. Phytosterols are molecularly similar to cholesterol which is found in animals. Cholesterol is the starting point for the steroid hormones made naturally in animals, including humans. Plants such as the soy bean, Dioscorea species of yams, fenugreek, sisal, calabar bean, some lilies, yucca, some solanum species, maize and many more contain phytosterols. Some of which are stigmasterol, diosgenin, sitosterol, campesterol, hecogenin, smilagenin, sarsasapogenin, solasodine. As these sterols have a similar molecular structure to progesterone, they are used as starting points for it's synthesis. Progesterone is then further synthesised into testosterone, oestrogen, cortisone etc. This takes place in a lab requiring specialised equipment. Companies then buy their progesterone from these labs to incorporate into creams, injections, suppositories etc. Take care Wray
Feb 26, 2015
 Wild Mexican Yams/ USP progesterone
by: Anonymous

I have recently ordered Dr Platt's progesterone cream, but noticed that the ingredients listed USP progesterone (from wild mexican yams). His is a 5% cream delivering 50mg per pump. I am wondering if this is acceptable as I do not want to waste time using it if the ingredients are not correct. The other ingredients are: purified water, caprylic triglyceride,vegatable glycerin,aloe vera gel,solagum tara,stearic acid,MSM, soy lecithin, olive oil, shea butter,glycerine sterate and PEG - 100. isopropyl palmate, stearyl alcohol, sodium carbonate, carbomer,allantoin, potassium sorbate, disodium EDTA. This seems like a lot of ingredients and I am also wondering about the alcohol content. Thank you.
Mar 02, 2015
 Wild Mexican Yams/ USP progesterone
by: Wray

Hi there Most of the progesterone creams on the market are made from either yams or soy beans, they yield the highest level of plant sterols making their extraction economical. The sterols are further modified into progesterone. Some of the ingredients in the cream are unnecessary, I must admit! There is no alcohol in the cream, stearyl alcohol is an 'organic compound, classified as a fatty alcohol, and is prepared from stearic acid or some fats by the process of catalytic hydrogenation. It has low toxicity.' It's used as an emollient, emulsifier and thickener in creams, shampoos, hair conditioners etc. If you are ever concerned abut the ingredients in any skin care you use, please see the Skin Deep website. Take care Wray

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