Red Clover Abates Depression, Anxiety

KORNEUBURG, AustriaA recent study found red clover derived isoflavones effectively reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms among postmenopausal women (Maturitas. 2010;65(3):258-61).A total of 109 postmenopausal women aged 40 or older were randomly assigned to receive two daily capsules of MF11RCE (80 mg of red clover isoflavones, Group A) or placebo of equal appearance (Group B) for a 90-day period. After a washout period of seven days, medication was crossed over and taken for 90 days more.

After receiving the MF11RCE compound the total Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), as well as anxiety and depression subscale scores, and the total Zung's Self Rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores decreased significantly. This effect was equivalent to a 76.9-percent reduction in the total HADS score (76 percent for anxiety and 78.3 percent for depression) and an 80.6-percent reduction in the total SDS score. After placebo, total HADS (anxiety and depression subscale also) and total SDS scores also decreased significantly in comparison to baseline but only equivalent to an average 21.7 percent decline.