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Title: Soy Isoflavones Reduce Bone Loss In Perimenopausal Women

URL: http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/72/3/844

"Isoflavone-rich soy protein isolate attenuates bone loss in the lumbar spine of perimenopausal women"
09/01/2000 11:57:00 PM
By Elda Hauschildt

Isoflavone-rich soy helps reduce bone loss from the lumbar spine in women during the transition to menopause. Isoflavones are found predominantly in soy products. US researchers note that these estrogen-like substances are structurally and functionally similar to 17 beta-estradiol. A total of 69 perimenopausal women participated in a randomised, double-blind study. Researchers wanted to determine the effects of 24 weeks of consuming soy protein isolate with isoflavones on bone loss in women during menopausal transition. Three treatment groups were compared. One group of 24 women consumed 80.4 milligrams per day of isoflavone-rich soy protein in the form of aglycone components. Aglycone components are the unconjugated parent forms of the isoflavones. Another 24 women took 4.4 mg/d of isoflavone-poor soy protein, and 21 women were given whey protein (controls). Bone measurements were taken at baseline and post-treatment. Both lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Urinary N-telopeptides and serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) were done at baseline, mid- and post-treatment. Lumbar spine bone loss (21.28 per cent) occurred in the control group. But there was no percentage change in lumbar spine BMD and BMC in either soy group. Regression analysis showed that isoflavone-rich soy had a positive effect on change in BMD of 5.6 per cent and BMC of 10.1 per cent. Baseline body weight and bone-free lean weight contributed positively to percentage change in BMD and BMC. Serum BAP post-treatment was negatively related to percentage change in BMD and BMC. Investigators report that "isoflavones, not soy protein, exerted the effect."

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/72/3/844

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