Red Clover Fights Prostate Cancer

A new study indicates that red clover (Trifolium pratense) effectively fights prostate cancer. Apparently it has this ability because it is "one of the richest sources of isoflavones."¹ Researchers concluded: "This report suggests that dietary isoflavones may halt the progression of prostate cancer by inducing apoptosis in low to moderate-grade tumors, potentially contributing to the lower incidence of clinically significant disease in Asian men. The assessment of new prostatic therapies aimed at increasing apoptosis should control for intake of dietary isoflavones."² [Emphasis supplied.] Red clover's isoflavones mimic estrogen, binding to estrogen receptor sites and reducing the potentially carcinogenic effects of excess estrogen,³ which is often encountered in menopause and andropause.

1. Red Clover(Trifolium pratense) is rich in isoflavones. (Accessed July 24, 2008).
   
2. Jarred, Renea A.; Mohammad Keikha; Caroline Dowling; Stephen J. McPherson; Anne M. Clare; Alan J. Husband; John S. Pedersen; Mark Frydenberg and Gail P. Risbridger. 2002. Induction of Apoptosis in Low to Moderate-Grade Human Prostate Carcinoma by Red Clover-derived Dietary Isoflavones. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention Vol. 11, 1689-1696, December.
3. V. Becka, E. Unterriederb, L. Krennb, W. Kubelkab and A. Jungbauer. 2003. Comparison of hormonal activity (estrogen, androgen and progestin) of standardized plant extracts for large scale use in hormone replacement therapy. Proceedings of the 15th International Symposium of the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Volume 84, Issues 2-3, February. Pgs. 259-268. doi:10.1016/S0960-0760(03)00034-7. (Accessed July 27, 2008).