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Published on: August 13, 2019
Efficacy of a soy rich diet in preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis: the Menfis randomized trial
L M Chiechi1, G Secreto, M D'Amore
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari, Corso Alcide de Gasperi 495, 70125 Bari, Italy. m.chiechi@gynecology3.uniba.it
Objectives:
To compare the effect of a soy rich diet and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the main biomarkers of bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD) at postmenopausal age.
Methods:
187 healthy asymptomatic postmenopausal women, aged 39-60, were recruited and randomized into a soy rich diet group, a HRT group, and a control group. Bone biomarkers and BMD were evaluated at baseline and after 6 months at the end of the study.
Results:
Diet is not as effective as HRT in reducing the postmenopausal turnover; however diet stimulates bone osteoblastic activity, as evidenced by significant increase in osteocalcin concentrations. BMD decreases significantly only in the control group, but not in the intervention groups.
Conclusions:
Our data suggest that soy products could be effective in reducing the risk of osteoporosis in asymptomatic postmenopausal women, but our findings should be confirmed before recommending the diet as a valid alternative to HRT.
