Soy Protein Cuts Bone Fracture Risk

[~SuziQ~]

Updated: 11:40 AM EDT

Soy Protein Cuts Bone Fracture Risk, Study Says

 

 

CHICAGO (Sept. 13) - Eating soy-based foods lessens the progress of osteoporosis in women after menopause, when hormonal changes can rapidly thin bones and increase the risk of fractures, researchers said Monday.

 

Bone loss is particularly quick in women during the five to seven years after menopause when a drop-off in estrogen levels may cause them to lose up to 5 percent of bone mass yearly, the report published in the Archives of Internal Medicine said.

 

Replacing estrogen through hormone replacement therapy has been found to carry health risks, including stroke, and soy protein has been viewed as a possible alternative.

 

Other ways for menopausal women to retard bone loss suggested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are to exercise more and increase consumption of calcium and vitamin D.

 

In the study, a sampling of 24,000 women participating in the three-year Shanghai Women's Health Study found post-menopausal women who ate the most soy protein had a 37 percent lower risk of bone fracture compared to women who consumed the least soy. There were a total of 1,770 bone fractures reported, said study author Xianglan Zhang of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

 

"In this prospective cohort study of post-menopausal women, we found that soy food consumption was associated with a significantly lower risk of fracture, particularly among women in the early years following menopause," he wrote.

 

The women were divided into five categories of soy consumption, with those in the highest consuming group eating at least 13 grams per day, while the low-consuming group ate 5 grams per day. Average consumption was 8.5 grams, based on the reported consumption of soy products such as soy milk, tofu, soy sprouts and fresh soybeans.

 

Soy protein has been found to have beneficial effects on other symptoms of menopause, and may reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease and hormone-related cancers, the report said. But like estrogen, it may stimulate growth of certain cells that may heighten the risk of breast cancer.

 

 

09/12/05 15:33 ET

 

I found this very interesting. Seven months post op I had my first bone density test and was found to have osteopenia. Subsequent bone density tests have shown enough improvement that I no longer have osteopenia. At the time of my diagnosis, my endo asked me if I took calcium. I only took a woman's one a day vitamin which was calcium and vitamin D enriched, so he added more calcium and vitamin D. Shortly after my bone density test I started drinking Revival Soy Shakes and continue to drink them daily. I also eat their chips and bars occasionally. I'm not promoting this product in particular.. there are many soy products on the market; it is just the one I use. I just can't help but wonder if it's played a part in helping my bones. Of course, there's a negative side - the heightened risk of breast cancer. I don't think anything comes without a risk of something... Just wanted to share....

[LeroyB]

Personally I would stay asfar away from soy products as I could!

 

Soy is a "health" food scam that has been hoisted on the consumer's shoulders. Most of the studies done showing its supposed health effects are studies sponsired by the giant soy industry associations.

 

Even the most conventional of medical minds concede that soy slows down your thyroid.

 

But to get a better idea of the full scam behind soy, read the book:

 

"The Whole Soy Story" - By Kaayla Daniel, PhD, CCN

 

Also some links to review:

 

General Info: http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/index.html

 

Studies Done:

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/dangersisoflavones.html

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/soy_studies.html

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/morestudies.html

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/soy-update-wi2004.htm

 

Soy Articles

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/soyconquest.html

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/ploy.html

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/darkside.html

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/isoflavones.html

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/soyandbrain.html

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/soy_controversy.html

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/tragedy.html

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/soy_toxicity.html

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/notmilk.html

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/lecithin.html

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/promotion.html

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/thyroidproblems.html

 

Leroy