Soy associated with reduced fracture risk in postmenopausal women

A study published in the September 12 2005 issue of the journal Archives of Internal Medicine found that postmenopausal women whose dietary intake of soy was high had a lower risk of bone fracture than women whose intake was comparatively low.

Researchers analyzed data from women who took part in the Shanghai Women's Health study, which included approximately 75,000 Chinese women aged 40 to 70.

Women consuming 13.27 grams or more per day had a 37 percent lower risk of fracture than those whose soy intake was less than 4.98 grams per day. Isoflavones from soy were found to provide a similar protective benefit. Those with the highest intake of isoflavones had a 35 percent reduced risk of fracture compared to the risk of women whose intake was the lowest. The inverse association was more pronounced among women in early menopause.

Diets high in soy may reduce the risk of bone fracture in postmenopausal women, particularly during the early years following menopause. Arch Intern Med. 2005;165:1890-1895.