Evidence supporting the use of: Isoflavones
For the health condition: Osteoporosis
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Isoflavones, primarily derived from soy and other legumes, are phytoestrogens—plant compounds with estrogen-like activity. Their use in osteoporosis is supported by a moderate level of scientific evidence, largely based on their potential to mimic estrogen’s bone-protective effects, which is particularly relevant in postmenopausal women experiencing decreased estrogen levels and subsequent increased bone resorption. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have examined the impact of isoflavone supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers.
A 2017 meta-analysis (Zhao et al., 2017, Medicine) found that isoflavone supplementation could result in a modest increase in BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck in postmenopausal women, though the effect size was relatively small. Similarly, a 2019 systematic review (Wei et al., Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism) reported that soy isoflavones may slow bone loss, but the clinical significance and long-term benefits remain uncertain due to heterogeneity among studies, variations in dosage, and differences in baseline dietary intake.
Overall, while there is some scientific validation for the use of isoflavones in supporting bone health and potentially preventing osteoporosis, the evidence is not robust enough for isoflavones to be considered a standalone therapy. Most guidelines recommend them as an adjunct to, not a replacement for, established osteoporosis treatments. Further large-scale, long-term trials are needed to clarify their efficacy and safety.
Other ingredients used for Osteoporosis
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)8-Prenylnaringenin
Abalone
Acacetin
Alfalfa
algal oil
Algal protein
Algalin
Algas calcareas
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
animal protein
animal Tissue
anthocyanins
antler
apigenin
arctiin
ashwagandha
astragalin
astragaloside
astragalus
barrenwort
beta caryophyllene
biochanin
blueberry
bok choy
bone protein
boron
bovine
bovine protein
broccoli
calcium
calycosin
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Cissus quadrangularis
cistanche
cod liver oil
collagen
collard
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
curcumin
cyanidin
daidzein
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
dioscorea
diosgenin
diosmetin
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
Drynaria
ecdysteroids
eicosapentaenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epicatechin
equol (proprietary)
estrogen
Eucommia ulmoides
fern
fish
fish protein
flavanols
flavanones
flavans
flavones
fo-ti
formononetin
genistein
genistin
glycitin
goji berry
gooseberry
haliotis
hesperetin
hesperidin
horsetail
Hyperoside
icariin
ipriflavone
isoflavones
Kaempferol
kale
knotweed
Legume protein
Lentinula edodes mycelia
lignans
Lithothamnion
Lycium
maca
magnesium
manganese
Marine protein
Microcrystalline hydroxyapatite concentrate (MCHC)
Milk Protein
Mineral blend
Naringenin
Neoeriocitrin
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
paeoniflorin
Phaeophyceae
phosphorus
Phytoecdysteroid
Phytoestrogens
polymethoxylated flavones
polysaccharides
polyunsaturated fat
pomegranate
proanthocyanidins
procyanidin
prune
Puerarin
quercetin
red clover
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
resveratrol
royal jelly
rutin
seaweed
sesame
Shilajit
silica
silicon
Soy
soy isoflavones
Soy Protein
soybean
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Stilbenoid
strontium
tocotrienols
Ursolic Acid
Vegetable Protein
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin K
Wakame
Whey protein
Xanthophyll
Zinc