(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- New research shows two years of
treatment with phytoestrogen genistein reduces bone loss in
postmenopausal women.
Researchers from three medical centers in Italy included 389
postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density in a study on
genistein. Genistein is in the isoflavone class of flavonoids and is
also classified as a phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogens are plant-derived
non-steroidal compounds that have estrogenic and antioxidant
effects.
Initially, women in the study underwent a four-week stabilization
period where they ate a low-soy, reduced-fat diet. Women were then
randomly assigned to receive a placebo or 54 milligrams of genistein
each day for 24 months.
Results of the study show, after two years, bone mineral density
increased among women taking genistein and decreased in women taking
a placebo.
Authors of the study write, "We found that treatment with genistein,
an abundant soy isoflavone, prevents bone loss caused by estrogen
deficiency without affecting the uterus in osteopenic postmenopausal
women." They go on to say that genistein increased levels of markers
of new bone formation. Results also show that genistein positively
affected levels of insulin-like growth factor I, which is a marker
of bone growth in postmenopausal women.
According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, one in three
women older than age 50 will have an osteoporotic fracture. In women
older than age 45, osteoporosis accounts for more days spent in
hospital than many other diseases, including diabetes, heart attacks
and breast cancer.
SOURCE: Annals of Internal Medicine, 2007;146:839-847
