Due to its high phytoestrogen content of red clover is especially popular in women because it relieves menstrual problems as well as menopausal symptoms. But did you know that red clover has a variety of other benefits, of which women and men benefit? Thus, red clover has a cytoprotective, anti-inflammatory and blood cleansing effect. It improves blood flow, lowers cholesterol, prevents bone loss in old age and also protects against prostate diseases.
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Red clover improves soil quality
Red clover, which is also known under the name Clover, is one of the legumes that belongs to the family Papilionaceae. Red clover has the ability to fix nitrogen from the air and so to enrich the soil with this important plant nutrient. This plant increases the soil quality in general and their fertility in particular.
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Red clover has the highest phytoestrogen content
The term phytoestrogens is a neologism that describes herbal substances, which are similar to human estrogen from the chemical structure startling. The phytoestrogens may therefore also intervene to regulate the hormonal balance. Therefore, the red clover is equally valuable for women AND men.
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The mode of action of red clover phytoestrogens
The effect of phytoestrogens now depends on how much estrogen is present in a person’s body. If the estrogen level is too high, as is the case with some women before menopause, they show an anti-estrogenic effect. This means that the phytoestrogens attach to the estrogen receptors and thus prevent the much stronger acting endogenous estrogen from it. Too low estrogen levels, which is to be found in women in menopause, estrogen-like effect of a phytoestrogen sets, so that the existing estrogen deficiency can be reduced or even balanced. The phytoestrogens of red clover can’s therefore, help the body to a balance the hormone levels.
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A reasonable proportion of estrogen in the body
Promotes the circulation of all body tissues (organs, nervous system, bone tissue, skin, etc.). Promotes the dilation of the veins. Regulates cholesterol levels and protects against diseases of the cardiovascular system. Controls the calcium deposition in the bones. Increases the ability to concentrate. Support a healthy sleep. Promotes a positive, happy mood. Promotes the storage of fat under the skin to keep it soft and supple. Holds black water in the connective tissue – for a smooth, wrinkle-free skin. These examples clearly show that health consequences both a lack of estrogen and an estrogen excess can have. This’s of course, applies equally to women AND men.
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An estrogen deficiency leads to male midlife crisis
A study led by Dr. Joel Finkelstein, a professor of endocrinology at the Harvard Medical School, examined the effects of estrogen deficiency in men and came to the following conclusion: If the testosterone levels in men below a concentration of 300 to 350 nanograms (at a young age he is about 550 nanograms), estrogen also decreases automatically and simultaneously increases the body fat percentage. The drop in estrogen is described as the main cause of the male midlife crisis because it leads – similar to women – the typical symptoms such as depression, lack of energy, weight gain, insomnia etc.
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Red clover affects menopausal symptoms
In 2007, Dr. Martin Imhof of the Department of Obstetrics in Vienna a randomized placebo-controlled study with red clover extract ago, attended by 180 patients. In addition to menopausal symptoms, the influence on mood, concentration, and sleep behavior was observed. The subjects were given over a period of 25 weeks daily 80 mg standardized red clover extract. The result was impressive: “The extract had decreased a significant positive impact on all pathologies of the subjects. While sweating regulated, improved at the same concentration the mood and sleep patterns”.
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Red clover protects against atherosclerosis
In another study from the year 2007, was investigated the effects of red clover on the development of atherosclerosis in male rabbits with high blood lipid levels. The result: the gift of red clover extract the triglycerides could just as LDL-cholesterol significantly decreased, while HDL-cholesterol increased significantly. The fatty streak formation in the aorta was also reduced significantly as those in the coronary arteries. The result suggests that red clover may significantly reduce the cardiovascular risk factors that cause a stroke or heart attack ultimately.
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Effect of red clover on bone density
About the previously presented studies also provide further studies to demonstrate the successful use of red clover for maintaining bone density and its protective effectiveness against osteoporosis (brittle bones) in postmenopausal women (women after menopause). The aim of a study conducted in 2006 was to assess the preventive effect of red clover isoflavones on the progression of bone loss due to estrogen deficiency. The results: The mineral content of the bone, the bone density of the femur and the strength of the tibia (second longest bone in the skeleton) increased with the help of the red clover extract.
At the same time the value of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase in the blood, and the number of osteoclasts (bone resorbing cells) in the thighs went back.
