A study on red clover recently showed that using fermented red clover extract may decrease both the number and severity of hot flashes experienced by post-menopausal women.1 Red clover has been a mainstay of menopause, as its status as a hot flash remedy is well known, now the fermented extract has been shown to yield similar benefits. The fermentation process may increase the bio-availability of the phytoestrogens and isoflavones in red clover. This happens as the fermentation process breaks down the sugar molecule that the isoflavones are bound to, thus increasing its ability to be absorbed.
The Study Illuminates Another Benefit Outside of Remedies for Hot Flashes
The study also saw that this extract prevented the accelerated bone loss that commonly affects a third of menopausal women over 50. Sixty women were included in the study, all experiencing at least 5 hot flashes per day. They were divided into 2 groups. One group drank 150 mL red clover extract per day for 12 weeks, and the other drank a placebo. Vasomotor symptoms associated with hot flashes were assessed using 24-hour ambulatory skin conductance (SC) – a way of measuring the amount of sweat produced by the skin – as well as self-reported severity and frequency of hot flashes. Dexa-scans were used to assess any bone changes occurring as a result of the treatment. All measurements were taken before and after the 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, there was a significant decrease in vasomotor symptoms measured by both SC and self-reported assessments. Dexa-scans were not significantly changed over the 12 weeks, however did show improvement within the test group.
Source
- Lambert MNT, Thorup AC, Hansen ESS, Jeppesen PB. Combined Red Clover isoflavones and probiotics potently reduce menopausal vasomotor symptoms. PLoS ONE. 2017;12(6):e0176590.
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Node Smith, associate editor for NDNR, is a fifth year naturopathic medical student at NUNM, where he has been instrumental in maintaining a firm connection to the philosophy and heritage of naturopathic medicine among the next generation of docs. He helped found the first multi-generational experiential retreat, which brings elders, alumni, and students together for a weekend camp out where naturopathic medicine and medical philosophy are experienced in nature. Three years ago he helped found the non-profit, Association for Naturopathic ReVitalization (ANR), for which he serves as the board chairman. ANR has a mission to inspire health practitioners to embody the naturopathic principles through experiential education. Node also has a firm belief that the next era of naturopathic medicine will see a resurgence of in-patient facilities which use fasting, earthing, hydrotherapy and homeopathy to bring people back from chronic diseases of modern living; he is involved in numerous conversations and projects to bring about this vision.
