Asian women experience a lower rate of hip fractures compared to women from Western countries and diet is recognised to be one important factor.
A high intake of animal protein as compared to plant protein has been linked with calcium loss from the body and an increased risk of hip fractures. When animal protein is replaced with soy protein, less calcium is lost from the body.
Taking soy foods, soy protein and isoflavones increases markers of bone formation and reduces markers of bone resorption in postmenopausal women.
Soy foods or isoflavones added to the diet of postmenopausal women have been found to improve BMC or BMD in multiple short-term and several longer term clinical trials although some studies do not report a benefit for soy in preventing bone loss.
Two population studies suggest that regular and higher soy food consumption, especially in the early postmenopausal period, protects against bone fracture among Asian women.
