Efficacy of a soy rich diet in preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis: the Menfis randomized trial.

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.