Intake of Novel Red Clover Supplementation for 12 Weeks Improves Bone Status in Healthy Menopausal Women

Anne Cathrine Thorup; Max Norman Lambert; Henriette Strøm Kahr; Mette Bjerre; Per Bendix Jeppesen

doi:10.1155/2015/689138

Intake of Novel Red Clover Supplementation for 12 Weeks Improves Bone Status in Healthy Menopausal Women

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015:2015:689138. doi: 10.1155/2015/689138. Epub 2015 Jul 21.

Authors

Anne Cathrine Thorup¹, Max Norman Lambert¹, Henriette Strøm Kahr², Mette Bjerre³, Per Bendix Jeppesen¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Tage-Hansens Gade 2, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
² Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vendsyssel Hospital, Bispensgade 37, 9800 Hjørring, Denmark ; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Søndre Skovvej 15, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark.
³ The Medical Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Nørrebrogade 44, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the effect by which daily consumption of a novel red clover (RC) extract influences bone health, inflammatory status, and cardiovascular health in healthy menopausal women. Design. A 12-week randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial involving 60 menopausal women receiving a daily dose of 150 mL RC extract containing 37.1 mg isoflavones (33.8 mg as aglycones) or placebo. Methods. Bone parameters were changes in bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and T-score at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Bone turnover (CTx) and inflammatory markers were measured in plasma and finally blood pressure (BP) was evaluated. Results. RC extract had positive effect on bone health, and only the women receiving the placebo experienced a decline in BMD (p < 0.01) at the lumbar spine. T-score at the lumbar spine only decreased in the placebo group (p < 0.01). CTx decreased in the RC group with -9.94 (±4.93)%, although not significant. Conclusion. Daily consumption of RC extract over a 12-week period was found to have a beneficial effect on bone health in menopausal women based on BMD and T-score at the lumbar spine and plasma CTx levels. No changes in BP or inflammation markers were found and no side effects were observed.