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(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.
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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.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: Annals of Internal Medicine, 2007;146:839-847
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