Red Clover Blocks Neurological Damage From MSG

[Guest guest]

http://www.naturalnews.com/024275.html

Red Clover Blocks Neurological Damage From MSG Monday, September 22, 2008

by: Barbara L. Minton

 

(NaturalNews) 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<http://www.naturalnews.com/estrogen.html>has been shown to

affect neuronal growth, differentiation and survival.

Genistein, diadzein and other

isoflavones<http://www.naturalnews.com/isoflavones.html>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<http://www.naturalnews.com/red_clover.html>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 <http://www.naturalnews.com/food.html> additive found in

almost all commercially prepared food. It supercharges the taste of food,

but not in the way you would think.

MSG<http://www.naturalnews.com/MSG.html>fools your brain into thinking

the food you're eating tastes really great.

MSG is an excitotoxin to the brain<http://www.naturalnews.com/the_brain.html>.

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 <http://www.naturalnews.com/brain_cells.html>.

 

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

<http://www.naturalnews.com/health.html>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<http://www.naturalnews.com/vegetable_protein.html>,

autolyzed vegetable protein, textured vegetable protein, hydrolyzed yeast

extract, autolyzed yeast extract, plant protein extract,

sodium<http://www.naturalnews.com/sodium.html>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<http://www.naturalnews.com/estrogens.html>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<http://www.naturalnews.com/cancer.html>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 <http://www.naturalnews.com/breast_cancer.html> 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<http://www.naturalnews.com/menopausal_women.html>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.

 

 

About the authorBarbara is a school psychologist, a published author in the

area of personal finance, a breast cancer survivor using " alternative "

treatments, a born existentialist, and a student of nature and all things

natural.

 

The Health Ranger recommends and *personally uses* Aquasana water

filters:<http://www.aquasanaaffiliates.com/b.asp?id=4115>

<http://www.aquasanaaffiliates.com/b.asp?id=4115>

NaturalNews Exclusive: *FREE decanter with *any* purchase from Aquasansa*.

Click here <http://www.aquasanaaffiliates.com/b.asp?id=4115> to claim: