By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Wellness
Menopause. Between the hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and the brain fade, this time of life can turn your world upside down. Fortunately, most of these symptoms subside once you become post-menopausal. But some women experience lingering depression long after their last period. Now, a new study has found that red clover—the herb that can help tame hot flashes—can also ease the depression and anxiety that can plague some post-menopausal women.
The study, which was just published in the journal Maturitas last month, involved 109 women over the age of 40. All of the women’s depressive and anxiety symptoms were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Zung’s Self Rating Depression Scale (SDS). The women were then randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group received 80 mg. of red clover isoflavones each day. The other got a dummy pill.
After just 90 days, the results were astounding! Anxiety was reduced by 76 percent, and depression by 78 percent, according to HADS. The SDS scores were even better, showing that the symptoms of depression had been slashed by 80 percent. The women in the placebo group also experienced a decrease in anxiety and depression, but only about 21 percent on both HADS and SDS.
The researchers believe that the isoflavones in red clover protect brain cells against neuron damage by inhibiting inflammatory pathways. They also guard against the oxidative stress that can affect your thinking, ability, and memory. The scientists concluded these red clover-derived isoflavones can offer very real relief to post-menopausal women facing depression.
But improving your mental state isn’t the only way red clover can help you. A daily dose can promote breast health, too. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in post-menopausal women. While it has long been recognized that an overabundance of estrogen promotes the growth of cancerous cells, a population-based, case-controlled study of 3,534 postmenopausal women, aged 55 to 72, conducted by the University of Southern California/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles found that for every five years of combined estrogen-progestin use the risk of developing breast cancer rises by 10 percent.
The isoflavones in red clover protect breast tissue by blocking the estrogen receptors. A case-controlled study of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, conducted by the Department of Surgery at the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre in Perth, Australia, found that a high intake of isoflavones offers a substantial reduction in breast cancer risk. Here in the States, other studies suggest that the phytoestrogens in red clover, particularly genistein, daidzein and biochaninA, inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells by occupying estrogen receptors when our estrogen level is too high. Once there, they act as an estrogen antagonist by blocking the estrogen receptor from being occupied by naturally-produced estrogen without stimulating the growth of new cells. Put more simply, phytoestrogens are like a broken key stuck in a lock. While you can’t open the lock, it prevents any other key which might work from being inserted.
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So if you’ve made it through menopause but still suffer from a blue mood, try protecting both your brain and your breasts with red clover. Standardized extracts providing 40 mg. isoflavones are widely available and taking this amount daily just might be the ticket to enjoying life again.
Yours in health and happiness,
References:
Atkinson C. Red-clover-derived isoflavones and mammographic breast density: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial [ISRCTN42940165]. Breast Cancer Research. 2004;6:R170-179.
Ingram D, Sanders K, Kolybaba M, et al. “Case-control study of phyto-oestrogens and breast cancer.” Lancet. (1997) 350: 990-994.
Lipovac M. Improvement of postmenopausal depressive and anxiety symptoms after treatment with isoflavones derived from red clover extracts. Maturitas. 2010; 65: 258-261
