- Investigating the effects of red clover, turmeric, nettle and fennel plant extracts on osteoporosis
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fateme valipour baboly,1,*
1. Department of Nursing, Bandar Abbas Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran
- Introduction: Osteoporosis is one of the most important and common diseases of the muscoskeletal system, especially in the elderly population. In Iran 1.1% of men and 2.7% of women above the age of 50 are suffering from osteoporosis.
With the rise in the elderly population, the number of cases of osteoporosis is on the rise as well. Supplements and herbal compounds containing phytoestrogens as seen in plants such as red clover, turmeric, nettle and fennel have been shown to improve certain symptoms/complications of menopause such as osteoporosis.
Therefore,The aim of this review study is to identify the effects of extracts of red clover, turmeric, nettle and fennel plants on osteoporosis.
- Methods: In the following review article after searching key words “plants” “red clover” “turmeric” “nettle” “fennel” “osteoporosis” in credible English and Persian databases such as PubMed, Scopus Magiran, Scientific Information Database, web of science and google scholar; until the year 2020 without a date limit, a total of 104 papers were found. After a stepwise and more precise review, 15 papers were selected that were aligned with the purpose of the review study at hand.
- Results: evaluation of the findings of selected studies indicated a reverse correlation between the changes in the amount of minerals within the body and osteoporosis as an increase in the level of minerals leads to a decline in the rate of osteoporosis.
Accordingly, the findings here indicate the extracts of plants such as red clover, turmeric, nettle and fennel contain an abundance of minerals that are essential for the human body such as calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, phosphorus, vitamins K-D-C, iron and herbal pseudo-hormonal isoflavones that by means of erythropoiesis and increasing the body’s energy level play an effective role against fatigue, muscle weakness, psychological issues, headache and anaemia as well as preventing a decrease in bone density, elimination of joint pain and increasing bone density.
- Conclusion: the conclusions gathered by a thorough review of the effects of extracts of red clover, turmeric, nettle and fennel on osteoporosis show that certain attributes such as availability, containment of enormous amounts of nutrients, minerals and isoflavones seem to be effective on improvement of menopausal symptoms and physical/emotional distress.
It is of importance to note that while beneficial, the use of such extracts may lead to complications as a result of interactions with various medications and herbs, therefore consultation with a physician or health care professional prior to using any supplements is required.
- Keywords: red clover, nettle, turmeric, fennel, osteoporosis