OSTEOPOROSIS: Soy, You Say?

Can soy prevent osteo?

BY:MYRA DEMBROW

A recent osteoporosis-related study observing postmenopausal women found that genistein—a type of estrogen (phytoestrogen) found in soy products—helped build bone density.

The 389 women in this experiment took 54 milligrams of genistein or a placebo every day for two years. Both pills also contained calcium and vitamin D. After just one year, it was evident, according to results published in the June 19, 2007, Annals of Internal Medicine, that the genistein group was building bone density, while the placebo group's declined.

But you may not want to run out to buy a genistein supplement just yet. "There are safety issues with soy phytoestrogens" related to breast and uterine cancer, warns Frank Sacks, MD, professor of cardiovascular disease prevention at the Harvard School of Public Health Department of Nutrition. While genistein shows potential, he says, more research is necessary.