Conclusions : Isoflavone treatments exert a moderately beneficial effect against  estrogen-deficient bone loss in women .
The effect appears dependent on whether isoflavone treatments are in aglycone form ; we conclude that beneficial effects against bone loss may be enhanced for isoflavone aglycones
Background : Age-related estrogen deficiency leads to accelerated bone resorption .
There is evidence that , through selective estrogen receptor modulation , isoflavones may exert beneficial effects against  estrogen-deficient bone loss .
Isoflavone aglycones show higher bioavailability than their glycosidic counterparts and thus may have greater potency .
Objective : To summarize evidence , we executed a systematic review and meta- analysis examining isoflavone therapies and bone mineral density ( BMD ) loss in peri- and postmenopausal women .
The effects of phytoestrogen isoflavones on bone density in women: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
BACKGROUND 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 . OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to determine the effect on bone density of a red clover-derived isoflavone supplement that provided a daily dose of 26 mg biochanin A , 16 mg formononetin , 1 mg genistein , and 0.5 mg daidzein for 1 y. Effects on biochemical markers of bone turnover and body composition were also studied . DESIGN Women aged 49 - 65 y ( n = 205 ) were enrolled in a double-blind , r and omized , placebo-controlled trial ; 177 completed the trial .  Bone density , body composition , bone turnover markers , and diet were measured at baseline and after 12 mo . RESULTS Loss of lumbar spine bone mineral content and bone mineral density was significantly ( P = 0.04 and P = 0.03 , respectively ) lower in the women taking the isoflavone supplement  than in those taking the placebo . There were no significant treatment effects on hip bone mineral content or bone mineral density , markers of bone resorption , or body composition , but bone formation markers were significantly increased ( P = 0.04 and P = 0.01 for bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and N-propeptide of collagen type I , respectively ) in the intervention group compared with placebo in postmenopausal women . Interactions between treatment group and menopausal status with respect to changes in other outcomes were not significant . CONCLUSION These data suggest that , through attenuation of bone loss , isoflavones have a potentially protective effect on the lumbar spine in women
Conclusions : Isoflavone treatments exert a moderately beneficial effect against  estrogen-deficient bone loss in women .
The effect appears dependent on whether isoflavone treatments are in aglycone form ; we conclude that beneficial effects against bone loss may be enhanced for isoflavone aglycones
Background : Age-related estrogen deficiency leads to accelerated bone resorption .
There is evidence that , through selective estrogen receptor modulation , isoflavones may exert beneficial effects against  estrogen-deficient bone loss .
Isoflavone aglycones show higher bioavailability than their glycosidic counterparts and thus may have greater potency .
Objective : To summarize evidence , we executed a systematic review and meta- analysis examining isoflavone therapies and bone mineral density ( BMD ) loss in peri- and postmenopausal women .