Ye Yan-bin,et al, Eur. J. Nutr. 45 (2006): 327-334.
With the cessation of estrogen production, postmenopausal women are particularly susceptible to osteoporosis. Epidemiological, animal and human studies have shown that soy may have a beneficial effect in the prevention of osteoporosis. In the present study, the ingredient SoyLife EXTRA was tested in 97 postmenopausal women to evaluate its effect on bone health. SoyLife is an isoflavone ingredient extracted from soy hypocotyl.
Study design
For 24 weeks, healthy postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to two different dosages of SoyLife soy germ isoflavones or a placebo. The isoflavone dosages administered were 84 mg and 126 mg per day, measured as aglycones. Ten other women received estrogen treatment as a positive control (“Livial”, Organon, 2.5 mg per day). All women were instructed not to consume more than 25 g of soy foods per week. In addition, all subjects consumed 250 g of milk, 300 mg calcium and 100 IU of vitamin D per day. Thirty to 45 minutes of mild physical activity per day was advised. In week 0 and 24, Bone Mineral Density (BMD), seen as an endpoint parameter for bone health, was measured for 3 types of bones: Femur’s neck, Ward’s Triangle and Lumbar Spine.
Results
In postmenopausal women, natural loss of Bone Mineral Density (BMD), measured in g/cm2, is generally indicated to average 4% per year, especially during the first 5 years after menopause. This study showed that at all three bone sites, SoyLife isoflavones not only prevented loss of BMD, but even increased BMD. A clear dose-response curve was established for BMD-increase in all sites.
In conclusion
Although estrogen seems to be the best therapy with regards to improving BMD, SoyLife appears a good natural alternative.
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