Oestrogen affects fat metabolism, the menopause is associated with adverse changes in cholesterol levels.  Because of its effect on cholesterol, researchers had thought that taking oestrogen might help prevent heart disease. But recent studies have found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) containing oestrogen doesn't protect women against heart diseases.Theoretically however supplementing with isoflavones, which are structurally similar to oestrogen and are capable of binding to oestrogen receptors, could favourably affect cholesterol levels.

In the latest study 40 healthy postmenopausal women (average age of 56 years) were randomly assigned to receive isoflavones derived from red clover or placebo. Total cholesterol, cholesterol fractions and triglycerides (free fatty acids in the blood stream) in the women of both groups were investigated before treatment and at 4-month intervals over the following 12 months. Both total serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, as well as triglyceride levels, decreased significantly in the group receiving phytoestrogens. However, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol showed a significant increase. The authors concluded that “Red clover phytoestrogen supplementation in postmenopausal women had favourable metabolic effects on serum lipids. Furthermore, red clover phytoestrogens have no side-effects and can be considered safe”.

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