Red Clover

Red Clover

Red clover is a wild plant that belongs to the family of legumes and is located across Europe, Asia and Africa. The flowers of red clover are widely used in the field of traditional medicine because of its high nutritional value. Red clover contains isoflavones, which are a type of phytoestrogen (plant hormone that resembles human estrogen). Scientists believe that the isoflavones in red clover are responsible for the many health benefits of this plant.

Benefits of Red Clover

Taking red clover supplements has a lot of proven health benefits to offer. This includes:

Treats Menopausal Symptoms

The age-related decline of estrogen in women is the main cause of menopausal symptoms. Since the phytoestrogens in red clover resemble women’s estrogen, it makes sense that taking red clover supplements can help treat hormonal depletions as well as menopausal symptoms. According to a study evaluating the effects of phytoestrogens, including isoflavones from red clover extracts, researchers found that red clover isoflavone supplementation in postmenopausal women at a dose of 80 mg per day significantly decreased menopausal symptoms.^[1]

Improves Cholesterol Levels

Results from one study show that red clover supplementation doesn’t only improve menopausal symptoms but also lowers high cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women.^[1] According to the study, there was a significant reduction in low density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels after 180 days of treatment. Additionally, red clover supplementation significantly improved the overall quality of life of these patients.  

Improves Skin Health

Researchers have found that average adult women taking red clover extract for 90 days experienced a significant improvement in the health of their skin, hair and scalp, indicating that red clover has anti-aging properties.^[2]  

Improves Libido and General Well-Being

A study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology International found that red clover extract supplementation in postmenopausal women at a dose of 40 mg significantly improved low libido, mood, sleep quality and tiredness.^[3]

Helps Maintain Bone Strength

Research has shown that the most common cause of osteoporosis is estrogen deficiency at menopause, which is why there’s increasing evidence that higher dietary intake of  phytoestrogenic isoflavones from red clover are associated with a lower incidence of osteoporosis, fractures, and other bone disorders in the elderly.^[4]

Fights Cancer

Numerous clinical trials assessing the effects of isoflavones from red clover in cancer patients have found that these isoflavones may inhibit the growth of cancer cells and may help prevent some forms of cancer such as breast and endometrial cancer.^[5-8]

Lowers High Blood Pressure

Isoflavones from red clover is known to possess blood pressure-lowering properties. Results from one study assessing the effects of red clover supplementation in hypertensive postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes proved that this medicinal plant can improve blood pressure levels.^[9] According to the study, women who received dietary supplementation with isoflavones from red clover at a dose of 50 mg/day for 4 weeks experienced a significant reduction in their blood pressure levels compared to those who received placebo.

References:

1. Hidalgo LA, Chedraui PA, Morocho N, Ross S, San miguel G. The effect of red clover isoflavones on menopausal symptoms, lipids and vaginal cytology in menopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2005;21(5):257-64.
2. Lipovac M, Chedraui P, Gruenhut C, et al. Effect of Red Clover Isoflavones over Skin, Appendages, and Mucosal Status in Postmenopausal Women. Obstetrics and Gynecology International. 2011;2011:949302. doi:10.1155/2011/949302.
3. Beck V, Rohr U, Jungbauer A. Phytoestrogens derived from red clover: an alternative to estrogen replacement therapy? Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2005;94(5):499–518.
4. Occhiuto F, Pasquale RD, Guglielmo G, Palumbo DR, Zangla G, Samperi S, Renzo A, Circosta C. Effects of phytoestrogenic isoflavones from red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) on experimental osteoporosis. Phytother Res. 2007 Feb;21(2):130-134.
5. Cassady JM, Zennie TM, Young-Heum C, et al. Use of a mammalian cell culture benzo(a)pyrene metabolism assay for the detection of potential anticarcinogens from natural products: Inhibition of metabolism by biochanin A, anisoflavone from Trifolium pratense L.Cancer Res. 1988;48:6257-6261.
6. Mannella P, Tosi V, Russo E, et al. Effects of red clover extracts on breast cancer cell migration and invasion. Gynecol endocrinol. 2012;28(1):29-33.
7. Powles TJ, Howell A, Evans DG, McCloskey EV, Ashley S, Greenhalgh R, Affen J, Flook LA, Tidy A. Red clover isoflavones are safe and well tolerated in women with a family history of breast cancer. Menopause Int. 2008 Mar;14(1):6-12.
8. Woodside JV, Campbell MJ. Isoflavones and breast cancer. Journal of the British Menopause Society. 2001;Supplement S1:17-21.
9. Howes JB, Tran D, Brillante D, Howes LG. Effects of dietary supplementation with isoflavones from red clover on ambulatory blood pressure and endothelial function in postmenopausal type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2003;5(5):325-32.