Red clover is among the most potent known sources of isoflavones and is especially high in content of the specific estrogen bioflavonoid, known as Biochanin A, which may be converted to soy isoflavone in the body.
The red clover can suppress some symptoms, such as high triglyceride levels and vaginal cytology, but there is no particular effect on the hot flashes. The isoflavones of red clover in the extract have a keen estrogen effect, but no effect on the "bad" estrogen.
The intake of the red clover extract helps lower triglyceride levels, but not with more than 10% and especially in overweight women. It also suppresses depression, which is a side effect of menopause.
The result is remarkable, noting more than 80% improvement. It improves sleep quality in women in menopause.
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What Is the Red Clover Extract
Red clover extract is an extract taken from the red clover plant, which is botanically known as Trifolium pratense.
Red clover is among the most potent known sources of isoflavones and is especially high in content of the specific estrogen bioflavonoid, known as Biochanin A, which may be converted to soy isoflavone in the body.
It is interesting to note that red clover is not known in traditional European and Asian medicine, although in some parts of the world it is used in the form of tea for the treatment of coughs and bronchitis.
Red clover is characterized by the rich content for various types of bioflavonoids and other active components.
The Main Ingredients Found in Red Clover Are
- Biochanin A, which is methylated genistein and two of its glycosides;
- Formononetin, which is methylated daidzein and one of its glycosides;
- The soy isoflavones genistein, daidzein and glycitein and their glycosides;
- Calycosin;
- Pratensein;
- Prunetin;
- Pseudobaptigenin;
- Irilone.
The highest concentrations of bioflavonoids are in the roots and leaves of the plant, but not in flowers.
The concentration of bioflavonoids is as follows: in the flowers- up to 0.633%, in the stem- up to 1.85%, in the roots - up to 2.85%; in the leaves - up to 2.27%.
The red clover is characterized by the highest content of active ingredients from the whole clover family.
How Does the Red Clover Extract Work
The red clover extract contains bioactive isoflavones that are metabolized relatively fully in the body. A study has found that the final absorption of isoflavones exceeds 25%.
The main active ingredients in the extract - Biochanin-A and Formononetin get successfully metabolized by the body into the soy isoflavones genistein and daidzein.
The major mediators are the enzymes from the P450 group, which metabolize both components in the liver and the small intestine. It is interesting to note that both the isoflavones can be metabolized to other active substances.
The isoflavones from the red clover are disposed relatively easily from the body through the urine, as the percentage is different for each individual. The averagely disposed content varies between 20 and 25% from the orally taken isoflavones.
The isoflavones in the extract have a keen estrogen effect, but no effect on the "bad" estrogen. Biochanin A even affects the aromatization by inhibiting the aromatase and its activity.
The potency of Biochanin A is comparable with the one of quercetin but is weaker than chrysin.
Proven and Potential Benefits on People
- Although the red clover extract is known as a means for regulating the female hormones and increasing the estrogen, at this stage studies have not given a definite answer on this effect. In fact, the use of red clover does not lead to a significant increase of estrogen, although the active ingredients activate the estrogen receptors and have strong estrogenic activity in the human body. Further research is needed;
- The red clover extract helps suppress the symptoms of menopause. There have been studies with a positive effect up to this moment, in which isolated isoflavones are used, as for the standard extract more studies are needed. One of the conclusions is that the red clover can suppress some symptoms, such as high triglyceride levels and vaginal cytology, but there is no particular effect on the hot flashes;
- There are some allegations that the red clover may help regulate cholesterol. At this stage, it is definitely proved that the red clover does not affect the levels of "good" cholesterol. It lowers the "bad" cholesterol with just a little bit and only in individuals with high "bad" cholesterol levels. There is one more thing noticeable - regulation of the total cholesterol, but not with more than 10% and only in menopausal overweight women;
- The intake of the red clover extract helps lower the triglyceride levels, but not with more than 10% and especially in overweight women;
- In one of the studies, there has been some drastic lowering of apolipoprotein A, but the result has not been confirmed in another three studies. The effect is to be seen in overweight women in menopause. Another study has found a significant decrease of the apolipoprotein B and an increase in the bone mineral density;
- A potential benefit in the lowering of high blood pressure, but there has been established a positive effect only in subjects with diabetes type II;
- It suppresses anxiety. The only two existing studies confirm this effect, but in one of them, the one indicating 80% improvement, there has been a conflict of interests;
- It also suppresses depression, which is a side effect of menopause. The result is remarkable, noting more than 80% improvement. More replication of the result from other studies is needed;
- The short-term use of the herb reduces the arterial stiffness, not affecting the blood flow and blood pressure;
- It improves the skin, hair, and nails condition. It improves the texture and moisture of the skin. There is also a reduction of eye dryness;
- It improves the sleep quality in women in menopause;
- It is possible to improve the overall well-being of menopausal women. One study has found a significant effect, while others have reached the opposite results;
- Has a positive and negative effect on the cognitive abilities of menopausal women. Red clover improves the visual-spatial reasoning, but suppresses the short-term memory;
- It is traditionally used for the treatment of bronchitis and respiratory problems, but so far there are no studies on people.
Recommended Dosage
The intake of the extract is related to the overall content of isoflavones - that is why you should comply with the concentration percentage. The current daily dose of isoflavones is 80 mg, as it is recommended to split that into 2 times, in the morning and in the evening.
80 mg of isoflavones can be administered as an isolated compound or as red clover extract. Most 500 mg extracts contain 40 mg of isoflavones. Isoflavones can be obtained from the pure powder from the red clover plant, as 5 g provides the necessary dose.
Side Effects and Contraindications
The red clover is considered to be a safe supplement when taken at the recommended daily dose. Very rarely there can be some typical side effects such as nausea, headache, muscle pain, and redness.
The red clover is considered safe for intake by pregnant and lactating women, but at low doses, and because of its influence on hormones, a mandatory consultation with the supervising physician is recommended.
How to Combine Red Clover Extract
The red clover extract can be combined with other nutritional supplements that regulate female hormones. The combination with Pueraria Mirifica and Black Cohosh is recommended for the suppression of menopause.
Each consumer should comply with the combinations with the desired effect because of the possibility of an excessive estrogen increase. For the normal regulation of the female hormones, red clover can be combined with evening primrose oil, omega-3 fatty acid, and others.
At this stage, there haven’t been observed any negative interactions with other dietary supplements, but it is possible red clover to interact with certain drugs. It is possible red clover to interact with contraceptives or drugs for estrogen therapy.
Where Can We Find Red Clover Extract
The red clover extract can be found as a standalone product or as part of a complex formula. In most cases, the extract is in the form of capsules of 500 mg, as the concentration of isoflavones is different, depending on the patient.
Red clover is sometimes included in more complex formulas, intended mainly to regulate the female hormones or to give support during the menopause period.
Red clover is also available in the form of powder, as this form is characterized by a lower concentration of isoflavones.
