Good News for Women

 

Soy isoflavones have been found to significantly reduce bone loss in a three-year study of Chinese women, according to scientists at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

In this latest study on osteoporosis, researchers reported that women aged 31 to 40 showed strengthened bone mass after dietary intake of soy foods, which contain isoflavones.

Isoflavones are natural compounds with properties that can positively affect many biological and physiological processes. Scientists have attributed the soybean's positive health effects to its high concentration of isoflavones.

The study traced the effects of soy on the bone mass of 134 women during a three-year period. Earlier studies on pre-menopausal women had indicated that bone mass was consolidated in women in their early thirties, the university researchers said, but that data was lacking, "particularly in Asian women."

"This study shows that soy intake reduces bone loss and is a significant dietary factor," Dr. Suzanne C. Ho and three colleagues reported. The research team called for further studies on the effects of phytoestrogens such as soy isoflavones on bone health.

The study found that "the protective effect of soy isoflavones" still remained in test subjects after adjustments for bone area, weight-bearing activity and other factors. Age and number of pregnancies had little effect on the results, the scientists said.

The study was also reported at a meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, where a conference report on the study stated:

"In a study conducted among Chinese women, the amount of soy protein in the diet appeared to relate to the rate of bone loss. Soy, which provides a source of phytoestrogens, appears to slow bone loss in pre-menopausal Chinese women in Hong Kong. Some data suggest that similar findings may be seen in Caucasian women, but the appropriate dosage requirements of this source of phytoestrogens need to be determined.

"In addition, we still do not know whether soy intake is associated with reduction in fracture risk. Given the high prevalence of soy intake in the United States, this is encouraging news for reduction in fracture load in the future."

 

SOURCE: Foods for the Future (Foods for the Future provides factual information to the media concerning food products, health and nutrition. It is a project of the T. Dean Reed Company and is supported by U.S. agribusiness.)