Soy May Help Prevent Osteoporosis

TEHRAN, Iran--Soy protein may prevent osteoporosis in menopausal women by delaying bone resorption. Published in the October issue of Nutrition Journal (doi:10/1186/1475-2891-4-30, 2005), the study investigated the effects of soy protein on biochemical indicators of bone metabolism in osteopenic menopausal women. Iranian researchers conducted the clinical trial on 15 women aged 45 to 64 years. Subjects were given 35 g/d soy protein for 12 weeks. Blood and urine sampling, anthropometric measurement and 48-hour dietary recalls were carried out at zero, six and 12 weeks. Food consumption data were analyzed using Food Processor Software. Comparison of weight, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, energy intake and other intervening nutrients did not reveal any significant changes during different stages of the study. Soy protein consumption resulted in a significant reduction in the urinary deoxypyridinoline and increase of total alkaline phosphatase, although the alterations in osteocalcin, c-telopeptide, IGFBP3 and type I collagen telopeptide were not significant.

In view of beneficial effect of soy protein on bone metabolism indicators, the research findings support inclusion of this relatively inexpensive food in the daily diet of menopausal women to delay bone resorption and prevent osteoporosis.

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