Barbara L. Minton
September 22, 2008
http://www.naturalnews.com/
If you are into healthful eating, it can be tough when friends or
family want to go out to the local restaurant to eat. You know most
of the food there is laced with monosodium glutamate (MSG), and this
knowledge can really spoil your fun. Now a new study has found that
pre-treating yourself with a supplement of red clover before you go
out can nullify the potential for brain damage from MSG.
The study
The June 5, 2008 edition of Phytomedicine reports a study based on an
idea generated by the knowledge that estrogen has been shown to
affect neuronal growth, differentiation and survival. Genistein,
diadzein and other isoflavones have been shown to mimic the
pharmacological actions of the steroid estrogen, due to their
similarity of structure. So, researchers hypothesized that the
natural mixture of phytoestrogenic isoflavones found in red clover
could protect the brain from glutamate toxicity. They used a human
cortical cell line to test the efficacy of the red clover. Neuronal
viability was determined and neuronal membrane damage was
quantitatively measured.
The results obtained indicated that exposure of the cell cultures to
glutamate resulted in concentration-dependent decreases in neuron
viability. Concentrations of glutamate ranging from 0.01 to 5 mm were
toxic to the cultures. However, when the cells were pretreated with
0.5, 1 and 2 mug/ml of the isoflavone enriched fraction from red
clover, there was a significantly increased cell survival and
significantly decreased release of cellular lactate dehydrogenase, an
indicator of cell damage. This indicates that the neurons treated
with red clover isoflavones were protected from the cell death
induced by glutamate exposure. In addition, the pretreatment with the
isoflavone enriched fraction prevented the morphological disruption
caused by glutamate as shown in microscopic inspection.
About MSG
MSG is a food additive found in almost all commercially prepared
food. It supercharges the taste of food, but not in the way you would
think. MSG fools your brain into thinking the food you're eating
tastes really great. MSG is an excitotoxin to the brain. When we
consume food containing MSG, it excites the brain into the mass
production of dopamine, creating a drug rush that gives us a brief
sensation of well being. And because MSG is highly addictive, we keep
coming back for more and end up overeating. In the process, we end up
destroying our brain cells.
Food processors love MSG because it makes cheap ingredients taste
great. And because it comes from an amino acid, it can be added to
foods labeled 'natural' or 'organic'. It's very hard to find any
canned or packaged soup, dried soup mixes, prepared meals, fast food,
junk food, or Chinese food that does not contain MSG. It's in
prepared gravy, salad dressing, seasoning blends and mixes, canned
beans, bullion cubes, broths, chili and stews. Stores that cater to
the health conscious carry many of these MSG containing items.
Because the food buying public does not want to consume MSG, food
processors have gone to extremes to be sure that you don't know it is
in their products, and this has been allowed by the FDA. You will
seldom see MSG listed on the label, because it is disguised. Here are
the names of some of the disguises:
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein, autolyzed vegetable protein, textured
vegetable protein, hydrolyzed yeast extract, autolyzed yeast extract,
plant protein extract, sodium caseinate, calcium caseinate, yeast
extract, textured whey protein, natural flavor.
Most processed food for children also contains high levels of MSG,
such as canned or packaged spaghetti, alphabet soup and chicken
noodle soup, microwavable cups, packaged dinners and much more. A
meal of this food can raise the blood level of excitotoxins to a
value proven in primates to destroy brain cells. A child's brain is
four times more sensitive to damage by excitotoxins than is the brain
of an adult.
About Red Clover
Red clover is a wild perennial herb that grows in meadows throughout
Europe and Asia, and is now naturalized in North America. It's a
close relative of the clover you find in your front yard. The red
flowers offer the therapeutic potential and are dried for use. They
are sweet to eat.
Red clover is a valuable source of nutrients including calcium,
chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and
vitamin C. Its isoflavones are the source of the phytoestrogens in
the above noted study, water soluble chemicals that act like
estrogens in the body because of their ability to fit into estrogen
receptors.
Isoflavones are a class of organic compounds and biomolecules with
antioxidant properties. They are produced from a branch of the
general phenylpropanoid pathway which produces all flavonoid
compounds in higher order plants.
According to Phyllis and James Balch in Prescription for Nutritional
Healing, the isoflavonoids in red clover fight infection, suppress
appetite, and purify the blood. They have expectorant, antispasmodic,
and relaxing effects, and are good for bacterial infection and
inflamed lungs. They are also beneficial for inflammatory bowel
disorders, kidney problems, liver disease, skin disorders, and a
weakened immune system.
Red clover has been a traditional herbal treatment for cancer due to
its ability to stimulate the immune system. Recent research has found
evidence that it prevents the growth of cancer cells and is highly
effective in treatment for prostate and liver health. Red clover is
frequently prescribed by natural healers as a treatment and
preventative for breast cancer because of its ability to fit into
estrogen receptors in the breast.
Some studies have also suggested that the red clover isoflavones may
slow bone loss and even boost bone mineral density in pre and
perimenopausal women. It may protect against heart disease in several
ways, and has been associated with an increase in HDL cholesterol in
pre and postmenopausal women. One study found that menopausal women
who took red clover supplements had more flexible and stronger
arteries. Red clover may also have blood thinning properties which
help prevent blood clots. It also appears to improve blood flow.
Supplementing with red clover
No serious side effects from red clover have been reported in humans.
Infertility has been noted in grazing animals that consume large
quantities.
Red clover is available as teas, tinctures, tablets, capsules, liquid
extracts, and extracts standardized to specific isoflavone content.
It may also be prepared as an ointment for psoriasis, eczema, and
rashes. Whole herb supplements are generally considered to be the
most conservative way to supplement. Organic red clover supplements
are available from the large online supplement stores and are highly
affordable.
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