Phytoestrogens in osteoporosis prevention

Foods of plant origin, despite plenty of nutrients, contain many non-nutritional compounds which may prevent many diet-related diseases. Plants produce thousands of phenolic compounds as secondary metabolites. They are an important group of antioxidants and have relationships with plant oestrogens, occurring in food of vegetable origin. Doubtless deserving special attention are phytoestrogens, which can prevent the formation of osteoporosis. Scientific research shows that phytoestrogen, and especially isoflavones and genistein, was associated with higher lumbar spine and hip bone mineral densities. A most rich source phytoestrogen is the soya bean, its products and sperms of leguminous plants. A high ratio of dietary animal to vegetable protein increases the rate of bone loss and the risk of fracture in postmenopausal women. This suggests that an increase in vegetable protein intake and a decrease in animal protein intake may decrease bone loss and the risk of hip fracture. The latest research shows that the daily consumption of 100 mg of soya products has a profitable influence on the mass and thickness of the osseous tissue.