Bone density and soy isoflavones
This review article summarizes the current research into the potential
positive effects of soy consumption on bone health in humans. Soy contains
a number of isoflavones; genistein and daidzein have been particularly
well studied. Animal studies have provided convincing evidence of improved
bone mass following soy consumption. The only completed study investigating
effects in humans researched the effects of soy protein on bone mineral
density (BMD) in post-menopausal women and revealed significant improvement
in lumbar vertebral BMD, but not in femoral or total body BMD. According
to the authors, no epidemiological analyses have been noted in the scientific
literature. A review of laboratory studies is included in the article,
with discussion of possible mechanisms of action of soy isoflavones
in bone tissue.
Anderson J, Garner S. Effects
of soy isoflavones on bone. Nutr Aspects Osteoporosis 1998;
172-179 (Proc. Symp. 1997) |
