A new pilot randomized placebo controlled double blinded cross over trial found Red Clover Extract could reduce muscle loss in early postmenopausal women.
Participants in this study completed 2 different intervention periods in random order: 1) Supplemented Red Clover extract twice daily for 14 days 2) Supplemented a placebo twice daily for 2 weeks. The intervention periods involved different strength and muscle tests. The intervention periods were separated by a 14 day washout period. One day 1 and day 14 of each intervention period, participants performed a maximal elbow flexor strength test and a handgrip test. Also on day 14, a sample of a muscle tissue was taken before and 3 hours after a set of resistance exercises. During the second intervention period, exercise and biopsies were taken on the other leg.
Before the participants exercised they were given the Red Clover or the Placebo and immediately following their workout they received 25 grams of Whey Protein. All the strength tests were given at the exact same time of the day and they were performed by the same test personnel.
To insure a more standardized activity and diet prior to the experimental days, participants were told to abstain from any strenuous or different types of activities for 48 hours prior to the experimental days. They also had to monitor their steps using a step counter prior to experimental day and the first day 14. Participants than had to replicate the number of steps on the day before experimental day and the second day 14. Participants were told to eat a similar meal prior to each experimental day and meet in the lab after an overnight fast.
The study found that 2 key transcription factors found in protein degradation, FOX01 and FOX03a, were significantly lowered after Red Clover supplementation when compared to the placebo.
During the transition into menopause, women usually experience an increased decline in muscle mass which is linked with a reduction in estrogen. Although beneficial for skeletal muscle, estrogen hormone therapy is associated with an increased risk of cancer in estrogen receptor (ER-a) rich tissues.
Red clover and Soy are two legumes rich in Isoflavones, the most common and potent type of Phytoestrogen (polyphenolic non-steroidal compounds with estrogenic activity). These Phytoestrogens mimic the actions of estrogen through ER binding and the activation of ER-dependent gene transcription. However unlike estrogen, they show up to 1600 time lower affinity for estrogen receptor rich tissues which means they should not increase the risk of cancer.
Soy Isoflavone supplements have been shown to increase lean body mass in menopausal women who were obese and suffered from sarcopenia (a loss of skeletal muscle mass) but no such studies have been done with Red Clover Isoflavones until now. Red Clover contains the phytonutrients formononetin and biochanin A and have been shown to better enhance estrogenic activity.
Further studies are needed.
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