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Beth Bray
I’m a 14 year cancer survivor. After my treatment I remember someone telling me to avoid red clover because of its phytoestrogenic properties. I’m hoping someone here can tell me if this was an accurate warning?
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Dr. Patrick Jones
breast cancers and ovarian cancers can be stimulated by high estrogen levels. SOme plants like red clover have phytoestrogens that are similar to human estrogen.
Some studies have suggested that the isoflavones in red clover may have a protective effect against breast cancer, possibly by competing with the body’s own estrogen for receptor sites, which could reduce the overall estrogenic effect. In other words the estrogen-like chemistry from the plant binds to the same receptors on tissues that human estrogen binds to and competes for space. Since the plant “estrogens” aren’t as triggering to the cancer as human estrogens are that’s a benefit.
Now, whether that’s true of ovarian cancers as well is another question and I haven’t seen studies on that. Also, one would need to know specifically what ovarian cancer type we’re talking about to really be able to say.
Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.
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breast cancers and ovarian cancers can be stimulated by high estrogen levels. SOme plants like red clover have phytoestrogens that are similar to human estrogen.
Some studies have suggested that the isoflavones in red clover may have a protective effect against breast cancer, possibly by competing with the body’s own estrogen for receptor sites, which could reduce the overall estrogenic effect. In other words the estrogen-like chemistry from the plant binds to the same receptors on tissues that human estrogen binds to and competes for space. Since the plant “estrogens” aren’t as triggering to the cancer as human estrogens are that’s a benefit.
Now, whether that’s true of ovarian cancers as well is another question and I haven’t seen studies on that. Also, one would need to know specifically what ovarian cancer type we’re talking about to really be able to say.
Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by
Dr. Patrick Jones.
1 user thanked author for this post.
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My doctor described it as a borderline tumor (stage 3). Is that what you mean by type. It might not matter if there haven’t been any studies. I guess the safest thing would be to continue to avoid red clover and the like,
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That’s probably what I’d do unless there were specific research on a specific plant and a specific tumor cell type.
Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by
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