Do Phytoestrogens Improve Bone Density in Post-Menopausal Women ? A Case Control Study

Isoflavone phytoestrogen therapy has been proposed as a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT has a beneficial effect on bone, but few trials in humans have investigated the effects of isoflavones on bone. The objective of the study was to determine the effect on bone density of isoflavone supplementation in post-menopausal women. A total of 106 women were divided into 2 groups (isoflavone group and placebo group) out of which 94 women completed the study duration. At the end of 1 year we have found that BMD at hip increased from -1.20 + 0.31 to -1.08 + 0.32 and BMD at spine increased from -1.32 + 0.34 to -1.20 + 0.33 in the isoflavone group and this was a statistically significant improvement. This suggests that isoflavones may be beneficial in attenuating age-associated bone loss in post-menopausal women.