This study is significant because seaweed nutrition or seaveg contain high amounts isoflavons. of The study by Chinese researchers, published in the May-June issue of Menopause, shows that postmenopausal women taking 80 mg of isoflavones daily basis saw positive advantages on bone mineral content, particularly if they were in excess of four years into menopause, had lower body weight or had a reduced calcium consumption.“Many studies have proven that soy isoflavones have a cause in preventing oestrogen related bone loss, but no data reported such an outcome could be influenced by other significant factors impacting bone loss,” noted the scientists. However the current investigation, shows that particular factors may be so important to bone health that they overpower any potential benefit seen from isoflavones.The team from the Chinese University of Hong Kong enrolled 203 women, aged 48 to 62 years old, to be given either placebo with 500 mg calcium and 125 IU of vitamin D, a mid-dose (40 mg isoflavones, 500 mg calcium, 125 IU of vitamin D), or a high-dose (80 mg isoflavones, 500 mg calcium, 125 IU of vitamin D) supplement daily for one year.
The researchers discovered considerable benefit of high dose isoflavone supplementation on bone mineral content at the total hip and trochanter when compared with those women taking a low-dose or placebo. There was not any significant improvement in bone mineral density.In addition, there was a major benefit to women who had been postmenopausal for more than four years, as well as those that had lesser body weight.Females with a lower level of calcium consumption, less than 1095 mg on average per day, also noticed such an effect although in those who had high calcium consumption, soy isoflavones appeared to make no difference to their bone health.The researchers report that the outcome was not surprising, as “the body weight is a much stronger predictor of bone mass in comparison with many other factors, including menopause status”. They also note that “soy isoflavones at current doses may not have any additional benefits to bone mass within women that have high body weight.”
OCT