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 .
Effect of exercise training combined with isoflavone supplementation on bone and lipids in postmenopausal women: a randomized clinical trial.
We determined the effects of 2 years of exercise training and soy isoflavone supplementation on bone mass and lipids in postmenopausal women provided with calcium and vitamin D. Women were r and omized to four groups :  exercise training ( Ex ) ; isoflavone supplementation ( Iso : 165 mg/d [ 105 mg/d aglycone equivalent ] ) ; combined Ex and Iso ( ExIso ) ; and placebo ( control ) . Exercise included resistance training ( 2 days/week ) and walking ( 4 days/week ) . Our primary outcomes were lumbar spine and hip bone mineral density ( BMD ) . Secondary outcomes included hip geometry , tibia and radius speed of sound ( SOS ) , dynamic balance ( 6 m backward t and em walking ) , blood lipids , mammography , and endometrial thickness .  A total of 351 women ( Ex = 86 , Iso = 90 , ExIso = 87 , control = 88 ) were r and omized , with 298 analyzed at 2 years ( Ex = 77 , Iso = 76 , ExIso = 72 , control = 73 ) . There was a significant interaction for total hip BMD ( p < 0.001 ) such that ExIso had a greater rate of decrease ( absolute change [ 95 % confidence interval ] = -0.018 [ -0.024 , -0.012 ] g/cm(2 ) ) than either the Ex or Iso groups alone ( -0.005 [ -0.01 , 0.001 ] and -0.005 [ -0.011 , 0.001 ] g/cm(2 ) , respectively ) . There were no differences between groups for changes in lumbar spine BMD and minimal significant changes in hip geometric properties and bone SOS . Exercise groups improved dynamic balance as measured by a decrease in backward t and em walking time over 6 m ( p = 0.017 ) . Isoflavone groups decreased low density lipoproteins ( Iso : -0.20 [ -0.37 , -0.02 ] mmol/L ; ExIso : -0.23 [ -0.40 , -0.06 ] mmol/L ; p = 0.003 ) compared to non-isoflavone groups ( Ex : 0.01 [ -0.16 , 0.18 ] mmol/L ; control : -0.09 [ -0.27 , 0.08 ] mmol/L ) and had lower adverse reports of menopausal symptoms ( 14 % versus 33 % ; p = 0.01 ) compared to non-isoflavone groups . Isoflavone supplementation did not increase endometrial thickness or abnormal mammograms . We conclude exercise training and isoflavone supplementation maintain hip BMD compared to control , but these two interventions interfere with each other when combined . Isoflavone supplementation decreased LDL and adverse events related to menopausal symptoms
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 .