10 June 2008

Victoria University Honours student Hanifa Yurukoff, is conducting research investigating the potential health benefits of consuming the nutritional supplement Lepidium Meyenii, more commonly known as Maca, in postmenopausal women.

Hanifa is inviting women to participate in this new study who are aged 45-65; who are postmenopausal; not on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or any other complementary medicines for the relief of menopause symptoms; and are experiencing menopausal symptoms - such as irritability, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, lack of energy, decrease in sexual drive or a general decline in wellbeing.

All participants need to do is:

• Consume one free Weet-bix a day, every day for 12 weeks, which have been specially made for the study by Sanitarium.
• Answer questionnaires regarding anxiety, depression, sexuality, memory and general wellbeing.
• Give a small sample of blood on three occasions.

VU's Associate Professor Lily Stojanovska is supervising the research.

Women interested in participating can contact:
Hanifa Yurukoff, Ph: 0404 595 552
or
A/Prof Lily Stojanovska, Ph: (03) 9919 2737

Media Contact: Andy Gash, Snr. Media Officer,
Marketing & Communications Department, Victoria University
Ph: (03) 9919 4950; mobile 0411 255 900