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 .
Soy isoflavones have a favorable effect on bone loss in Chinese postmenopausal women with lower bone mass: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.
Animal studies have shown that soy isoflavones have an effect in preventing estrogen-related bone loss , but few data are available in humans , especially in the Asian population s. This double-blind , placebo-controlled , r and omized trial examines the effects of soy isoflavones on  bone loss in postmenopausal Chinese women , aged 48 - 62 yr . Two hundred and three eligible subjects were r and omly assigned to three treatment groups with daily doses of placebo ( 1 g starch ; n = 67 ) , mid-dose ( 0.5 g starch , 0.5 g soy extracts , and approximately 40 mg isoflavones ; n = 68 ) , and high dose ( 1.0 g soy extracts and approximately 80 mg isoflavones ; n = 68 ) . All were given 12.5 mmol ( 500 mg ) calcium and 125 IU vitamin D(3 ) . Bone mineral density ( BMD ) and bone mineral content ( BMC ) of the whole body , spine , and hip were measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry at baseline and 1 yr post treatment . Both univariate and multivariate analyses showed that women in the high dose group had mild , but statistically significantly , higher favorable change rate in BMC at the total hip and trochanter ( P < 0.05 ) compared with the placebo and mid-dose groups , even after further adjustments for the potential confounding factors . Further stratified analyses revealed that the positive effects of soy isoflavone supplementation were observed only among women with lower initial baseline BMC ( median or less ) . In conclusion , soy isoflavones have a mild , but significant , independent effect on the maintenance of hip BMC in postmenopausal women with low initial bone mass
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 .