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 .
Phytoestrogen and multiple vitamin/mineral effects on bone mineral density in early postmenopausal women: a pilot study.
The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of a combination regimen of herbs , vitamins , and minerals on bone mineral density ( BMD ) in early postmenopausal women via a 2-year , single-blind , uncontrolled , prospect i ve trial . BMD was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry ( DEXA ) at baseline and at 6 , 12 , and 24 months . Results of lumbar spine , hip , and forearm densities did not differ significantly from historical controls derived from other recent trials using a similar patient population . Bone mineral losses are reported on an annualized basis over the 2 years for the 12 women who completed the trial : spine ( -1.42 % per year ) , hip ( -0.43 % per year ) , forearm ( -1.42 % per year ) . Six women were withdrawn from the trial by the investigators because of excessive losses of bone mineral , and 1 of these women was diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism .  There were no metabolic diseases to explain the losses in the remaining 5 withdrawn subjects . Four of 21 subjects experienced adverse side effects , necessitating dropping out by 3 of these women . In conclusion , the combined treatment regimen of a menopause symptom-oriented herbal blend plus a high potency vitamin/mineral was unsuccessful in protecting women against the predictable acceleration of bone mineral losses associated with early postmenopause
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 .