Women and Bone Health

Asian women have lower rates of hip fractures ¹ in spite of the fact that they consume less calcium and use hormone replacement therapy less frequently than Western women. This observation led researchers to investigate the possible role of soy protein and isoflavone consumption in reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

Various studies have examined the effects of soy consumption on markers of bone health.

Research recently presented at a meeting of the North American Menopause Society ¹¹ showed that women consuming soy foods (as soy drink and soy nuts) for three months experienced an improvement in markers of bone health. Specifically, the women consuming the soy diet experienced a decrease in the level of a chemical marker of bone breakdown and an increase in the level of a protein called osteocalcin, indicating that the bone-making cells of the body were more active.

In the short-term Australian study by Dr. Fabian Dalais ⁷ post-menopausal women consuming 45g of soy grits daily, experienced a surprising 5.2% increase in bone mineral content (BMC) after 12 weeks.

Dr. Sue Potter, then from the University of Illinois ¹² , reported a significant increase in spinal BMC and bone mineral density (BMD) in a group of post-menopausal women, who consumed 40 grams of soy protein with naturally occurring isoflavones daily for six months.

It appears promising that the isoflavones, when consumed with soy protein, may have a role in managing the symptoms associated with menopause, reducing heart disease risk and improving bone health.

For additional information on soy and bone health, and soy and heart health, refer to the sections that discuss in further detail the relationship between soy, osteoporosis and heart disease risk.