A soy-based diet could help strengthen bones
A new study has investigated the impact of dietary soy on bone strength in postmenopausal women. The authors conclude that eating more soy might in fact strengthen bones in women of all ages.
The reduction in bone density and strength that is common in postmenopausal women is of huge concern.
As women age, osteoporosis, reduced activity levels, and weight gain act together to decrease bone health and negatively impact metabolism.
Osteoporosis and bone weakness increases the risk of fractures, which then lead to even more inactivity and weight gain, exacerbating the issue further.
As the population becomes — on average — older and heavier, bone health is an important area of medical science to study.
Recently, researchers from the University of Missouri in Columbia set out to test how alterations to a woman's diet might impact the resilience of her bones. In particular, they were interested in the effects of soy-based proteins.
Soy and bone strength
To investigate, the scientists utilized so-called low-capacity running rats, which have low fitness levels. Study co-author Victoria Vieira-Potter explains why they chose this model.
"Prior research has shown," she says, "that these rats are good models, as average American women are relatively inactive both before, and especially after, menopause."
