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New studies show soy may support better bone health
November 13, 2005 06:09 PM EST | Diet & Nutrition , Senior Health , Women's Health | Email to Friend | Comments (0)
By Dr. Aaron Tabor, MD
Medical Research Director at www.revivalsoy.com
No matter what age you are, strong, healthy bones and joints help you live your life to the fullest and increase your quality of life!
While soy is not a replacement for prescription medications, it can be part of your overall bone health plan. Clinical studies continue to show the benefits of soy for supporting bone health. Recent studies in pre- and postmenopausal women report that soy and soy isoflavones, key ingredients in soy, help to support better bone structure (1-4). In pre- and postmenopausal Japanese women, consumption of soy isoflavones (100 mg/day) for 6 months supported better bone strength (2). In a similar trial of 19 postmenopausal women, consumption of soy isoflavones (110 mg/day) for six months supported better spine health compared to the control group (1). Soy consumption also improves bone metabolism processes, further supporting the beneficial effects of soy for bone health (1, 3, 4).
Soy intake also appears to be associated with supporting better bone health in adolescent girls. A recent Japanese population study of boys and girls 10-15 years old examined the relationship between diet and changes in bone stiffness (5). In this study, bone health was measured by ultrasound once per year for 5 years and dietary and lifestyle factors were determined every year with questionnaires. The results of this study showed that consumption of soybeans, as well as fish, fruit, vegetables, and milk products, was associated with beneficial changes in bone health. Interestingly, soy may also support better knee joint mobility and comfort. A study of 136 men and women consumed 40 grams of soy protein for 3 months (6). Soy consumption improved the range of motion and comfort compared to the control group not using soy. Additionally, soy improved the profile of cartilage metabolism markers.
So while you are outside enjoying some sun, which will help your body make bone-healthy Vitamin D, enjoy healthy soy protein rich in soy isoflavones at the same time. Getting enough soy isoflavones is a key factor for obtaining soy’s possible bone benefits.
REFERENCES
1. Harkness LS, Fiedler K, Sehgal AR, Oravec D, Lerner E. Decreased bone resorption with soy isoflavone supplementation in postmenopausal women. Journal of Women’s Health 2004; 13:1000-1007.
2. Mori M, Aizawa T, Tokoro M, Miki T, Yamori Y. Soy isoflavone tablets reduce osteoporosis risk factors and obesity in middle-aged Japanese women. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology 2004a; 31:S44-S46.
3. Mori M, Sagara M, Ikeda K, Miki T, Yamori Y. Soy isoflavones improve bone metabolism in postmenopausal Japanese women. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology 2004b; 31:S39-S41.
4. Nikander E, Metsa-Heikkila M, Ylikorkala O, Tiitinen A. Effects of phytoestrogens on bone turnover in postmenopausal women with a history of breast cancer. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2004; 89:1207-1212.
5. Hirota T, Kusu T, Hirota K. Improvement of nutrition stimulates bone mineral gain in Japanese school children and adolescents. Osteoporosis International 2005; Published online February 3, 2005; doi: 10.1007/s00198-004-1804-1.
6. Arjmandi BH, Khalil DA, Lucas EA, Smith BJ, Sinichi N, Hodges SB, Juma S, Munson ME, Payton ME, Tivis RD, Svanborg A. Soy protein may alleviate osteoarthritis symptoms. Phytomedicine 2004; 11:567-575.
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