Osteoporosis phytoestrogens

The health effects of phytoestrogens osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and thyroid function... 

Studies have demonstrated that treatment with soy or phytoestrogen enriched diets is effective in conserving bone in rodent models of osteoporosis (Anderson and Gamer, 1998 Ishimi et al, 2000 Draper et al, 1997). The mechanism of action of phytoestrogens on bone health is unclear but several mechanisms including inhibition of bone resorption and stimulation of bone formation maybe involved (Fanti etal, 1998 Ishimi e/a/., 1999 Picherit eta/., 2000). Limited data from studies in postmenopausal women have indicated that phytoestrogen supplements have a small, beneficial effect on bone loss in the lumbar spine (Alekel et al, 2000 Potter et al, 1998 Somekawa et al, 2001). 

The phytoestrogen genistein reduced bone loss in short-term ovariectomised rats. Osteoporosis Int. 8 274-81. 

The phytoestrogen genistein reduces bone loss in short-term ovariectomized rats. Osteoporosis Int 8, 274-81. 

It has been shown that in postmenopausal women habitually high intakes of dietary isoflavones are associated with higher bone mineral density (BMD) values at both the spine and hip region (Mei et al, 2001). It is conceivable that an isoflavone-rich diet may help to reverse the state of secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with estrogen withdrawal and hence lower the rate of bone turnover in postmenopausal women, thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis (Valtuena et al, 2003). Phytoestrogens could be used as natural SERMs (Brzezinski and Debi, 1999) and some studies (Setchell, 2001 and refs therein) support such an idea since the molecular targets of... 

In order to get recent advances on the effects of phytoestrogens on hormonal-dependent diseases as well as on human supplementation trials, it might be useful to refer to http //www.venus-ca.org/ (EU-funded project on dietary exposure to phytoestrogens and related compounds and effects on skeletal tissues) http //www.phytos.org (EU-funded project on the prevention of osteoporosis by nutritional phytoestrogens) http //www.phytoprevent.org (EU-funded project on the role of phytoestrogens in the prevention of breast and prostate cancer) and http //www.nutrition.tum.de/isoheart.htm (EU-funded project on cardiovascular health of postmenopausal women). 

BARNES s (2003) Phytoestrogens and osteoporosis - What is a safe dose Br J Nutr. in press. 

Despite the return of her earlier symptoms, she adamantly refused further HRT even when informed again of its effectiveness for osteoporosis. However, she was very interested in pursuing dietary therapy with phytoestrogens, since this is what several women in her church group are doing. 

Although there is some controversy about how much soy must be consumed to benefit from its phytoestrogen effect, it is beheved that two servings per day will modestly reduce menopausal symptoms and the risk of breast cancer. More than three servings may reduce cholesterol. Although it has yet to be proved that dietary soy will stop osteoporosis, a synthetic isoflavone, ipriflavone, has been used in Japan and Europe to treat osteoporosis. Large doses of soy (6-8 servings per day) are believed by some to help this condition as well. 

Kwiatkowska, E. (2007). Phytoestrogens in osteoporosis prevention. Przegl. Menopauzalny 6, 306-309. 

Phytoestrogens Weak estrogenic and antiestrogenic actions, potentially protective against estrogen- and androgen-dependent tumors and osteoporosis... 

High consumption of legumes, especially soya beans, which are rich sources of phytoestrogens, is associated with lower incidence of breast and uterine cancer, as well as a lower incidence of osteoporosis. The estrogenic action is probably responsible for the effects on the development of osteoporosis, whereas three factors may be involved in the effect on hormone-dependent cancer ... 

Coumarins are active molecules against osteoporosis, they also behaves as estrogens, therefore, termed phytoestrogens as isoflavones and lignans. 

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