This new research might be the solution for all women, suffering or at risk of osteoporosis. Scientists from the University of Hull found a certain chemical in soybean foods with a similar structural composition like oestrogen, thus theoretically protecting women against bone loss by copying the oestrogen's mechanism of action.
Osteoporosis is common among women and can account for about nine million fractures around the world. In women, following menopausal stage, bone loss becomes common because of insufficient production of the sex hormone oestrogen.
The scientists tested the efficacy of isoflavones, the chemical element found in soybeans, in a group of two hundred women undergoing its early menopausal stage. These women were given either soy protein supplement alone or 30g of soy protein added with 66 mg isoflavones for six months. Bone progress was continually monitored through specific proteins, namely, betaCTX and P1NP, in their blood.
Results revealed that women taking isoflavones have lower betaCTX levels, a marker for bone absorption, compared with those taking soy protein supplements alone. This implies that bone degeneration was slowing down and may thus decrease the chance of suffering from osteoporosis. Aside from that, they also found a low-level risk of cardiovascular diseases.
"Soy protein and isoflavones are a safe and effective option for improving bone health in women during early menopause. The actions of soy appear to mimic that of conventional osteoporosis drugs," Thozhukat Sathyapalan, lead author of the study, said. "Supplementing our food with isoflavones could lead to a significant decrease in the number of women being diagnosed with osteoporosis."
With this preliminary result, scientists now want to determine if intake of isoflavones and soybean protein would have long-term side or adverse effects, or, on the positive side, other benefits beyond bone health.
Soybeans have become a favourite meat alternative to many as they are known to be highly rich in protein, fibre and some vitamins and minerals. In fact, a number of supplements containing soybeans are on the market today.
