SOY: NO BONES ABOUT IT.Ipriflavone, a synthetic form of the isoflavones isoflavones (īˑ·sō·flāˈ·vōnz), n.pl phytoestrogenic compounds found in various plants, including red clover and soy. found in soybeans, failed to prevent bone loss in a study of roughly 300 women with osteoporosis. Worse yet, women who took the supplement (600 mg a day) for three years had lower levels of disease-fighting white blood cells White blood cells A group of several cell types that occur in the bloodstream and are essential for a properly functioning immune system. Mentioned in: Abscess Incision & Drainage, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Complement Deficiencies called lymphocytes than those who took a (lookalike but ipriflavone-free) placebo. In most of the women, lymphocyte levels returned to normal within two years after they stopped taking the ipriflavone. What to do: To lower the risk of osteoporosis, women and girls should exercise regularly and make sure they get enough calcium from food or a supplement. (All the women in this study were given calcium supplements.) The Food and Drug Administration has approved five medications to treat or prevent osteoporosis: estrogen replacement therapy estrogen replacement therapy n. Abbr. ERT The administration of estrogen, especially in postmenopausal women, to relieve symptoms and conditions associated with estrogen deficiency, such as hot flashes and osteoporosis. , alendronate alendronate /alen·dro·nate/ (ah-len´dro-nat) a bisphosphonate calcium-regulating agent used in the form of the sodium salt to inhibit the resorption of bone in the treatment of osteitis deformans, osteoporosis, and hypercalcemia related (Fosamax), raloxifene (Evista), risedronate (Actonel), and calcitonin (Calcimar). Journal of the American Medical Association JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association is an international peer-reviewed general medical journal, published 48 times per year by the American Medical Association. JAMA is the most widely circulated medical journal in the world. 285: 1482, 2001. |
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