2.8.12

Menopause and Osteoporosis: A Natural Treatment



Etymologically, the term menopause means "cessation of menstruation". Menopause or climacteric is a normal physiological process that marks the end of the fertile period. The cessation of ovarian function and secretion of female hormones - estrogen and progesterone Menopause is preceded by a long transition period that begins at the age of 40 years and during which created the first biological changes. This transition period corresponds to premenopause and perimenopause.
The symptoms of menopause
Bone changes with cardiovascular events are the two major medical problems of menopause. Bone mass decreases in women from the age of 30 years and postmenopausal estrogen deficiency exacerbates this phenomenon. In the early years after menopause, bone mass decreases annually by 2.5% for 3 or 4 years to reach 0.75% next year. Throughout these transitions, a good hormonal balance is essential!

Over-dosage estrogen                          Sub-dosage estrogen
        Mastodynia                                                  Hot Flashes
        Edema                                                         Asthenia
       Trend depressed                                         Weight gain
       Irritability                                                       Vaginal Dryness

A natural method, healthy, inexpensive is to use red clover



The Red Clover is rich in isoflavones, especially genistein and biochanin. Molecules similar to estradiol
Phytoestrogens have been proposed as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy. Few large human studies have so far examined the effects of isoflavones on bone.



In a double-blind, randomized, controlled against placebo that lasted one year, researchers gave 205 postmenopausal women aged 45 to 65 a nutritional supplement of red clover. The supplement brought a daily dose of more isoflavones including genistein 1 mg and 0.5 mg daidzein, two isoflavones
Researchers measured at baseline and after twelve months, bone density, bone turnover markers and food.The results indicated that women taking the supplement containing red clover isoflavones have experienced a slower rate of loss of bone mineral density of the spine and a significant reduction of reduced bone mineral density compared with placebo . markers of bone formation were significantly higher in the group treated with red clover compared to placebo.
Through attenuation of bone loss, these data suggest that isoflavones have a potentially protective effect on the spine of women. (1)
Depression-anxiety
Symptoms of depression and anxiety were reduced by approximately 80% among women receiving isoflavones (antioxidants) of red clover extracts compared to 21% among those taking placebo. Isoflavones in red clover, which are different from those of soy may protect neurons (nerve cells) by inhibiting brain inflammation, researchers said. (2) (antioxidant action)
Scientists believe it is possible that the isoflavones in red clover protect neurons from damage. They say these isoflavones may provide real relief for menopausal women. (3)

Summary of isoflavone actions on the nervous system. (A) ER-mediated regulation represents that genistein and other isoflavones increase the survival and growth of a neuron, and synaptic plasticity via an ER-mediated pathway. (B) Inhibition of tyrosine kinase represents that genistein suppresses synaptic plasticity and modulates neuron survival by inhibition of tyrosine kinase. Gen, genistein; NRTK, nonreceptor tyrosine kinase; RTK, receptor tyrosine kinase

History:
Red Clover dried inflorescences were used in Western and Eastern traditional medicine for their diuretic, sedative and antitussive action.
We currently harvest the flower heads (or flowers) of Red Clover.
Dried flowers are used in infusions
Fresh flowers are used in salads

For more information see:


where to obtain:
in herbalism (europe)




  
References
(1)   Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Feb ; 79(2) : 326-33.) 
(2)   Psychomédia avecsource:nutra Ingredients 
(3)   M. Lipovac, P. Chedraui, C. Gruenhut, A. Gocan, M. Stammler, M. Imhof; Improvement of postmenopausal depressive and anxiety symptoms after treatment with isoflavones derived from red clover extracts. March 2010, Volume 65, Issue 3, Pages 258-261.





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