Soymilk stops bone loss

The interest in soy products is rising, driven by a higher level of consumer awareness of their potential health benefits as well as the greater availability of such products. One of the most import soy products is soymilk. Also many women have been looking for alternative treatments of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for bone loss prevention, following adverse press coverage of HRT.

Animal studies have showed that soy protein and its isoflavones can prevent bone loss. Other studies on humans have given variable results due in part to their short duration of study.

According to a two-year study by the Institute for Optimum Nutrition and Copenhagen University Hospital, soymilk reduced the extent of bone loss in post-menopausal women. The aim of the study was to compare the long–term (2 years) effects of soymilk, with or without isoflavones on bone loss of the lumbar spine and hip. Many of the symptoms which are associated with the menopause are considered to be related to a natural reduction in estrogen levels. Soymilk contains isoflavones that have estrogen-like properties. The study found that drinking two glasses of soy milk (which contains about 76 mg isoflavones) a day could protect post-menopausal women suffering from osteoporosis from developing lumbar spine bone loss.
(source: Daily Mail Good Health, 27 July 2004)