483
relationship between isoflavones and positive action on both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Through stimulating bone formation and inhibiting bone resorption, isoflavones can maintain bone health. Human studies, including observational and clinical
trial studies also support favourable effects of isoflavones showing the results such
as increasing bone mineral density and bone mechanical strength, and inhibiting
bone turnover in postmenopausal women (Atmaca et al. 2008). Ingestion of isoflavones (more than 90 mg/day of isoflavones) at least 6 months has a significant effect
for increasing spine bone mineral density in meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials however the effects on hip and leg bones are controversial (Taku et al.
2010). Long term safety and efficacy for isoflavones ingestion is needed to be
confirmed.
22.4.1.2 Bone Metabolism
Bones having increased calcium retention are due to isoflavones. So, increasing
bone mineral density. Both genistein and daidzein are effective in preventing bone
loss, but daidzein is more potent of these two compounds. Zn, Mn and Cu are essential trace elements needed for optimal formation of bone matrix and bone mineralization. These elements act as cofactors for some specific enzyme. For example, Zn
acts as the component of the ALP, which is involved in the formation of bone mineral matrix, and deficiency of Zn causes skeletal defects.
22.4.2 Beneficial Effects in Menopausal Women
Isoflavones helps reinforce estrogenic effect after endocrine fall in estrogen levels
through binding to ER-α which then helps to reduce estrogen-related cancer risk.
Through binding to ER-β, isoflavones induce estrogen-like effect and thus show
positive health effects after menopause. In postmenopausal syndrome with hot
flushes and night sweat, isoflavones prescription can decrease the symptoms of
menopause (Setchell and Cassidy 1999). Dietary soy products have slightly and
modestly reduced climacteric vasomotor relative to placebo (Bolanos et al. 2010).
22.4.3 Reduction in Cancer Risk
In vitro and animal studies has shown that isoflavones can reduce cancer risk through
antioxidant and anti-tumorogenic effect, such as blocking ER-α protein and stopping carcinogenesis pathway through inhibiting PTK, tumor cell growth by suppressing DNA replication and various growth factors and controlling enzyme
activities on the signal transduction pathway of carcinogenesis. Epidemiological
studies also show that the soy isoflavones may be associated with a reduction in
22 Health Benefits of Isoflavones Found Exclusively of Plants of the Fabaceae Family
relationship between isoflavones and positive action on both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Through stimulating bone formation and inhibiting bone resorption, isoflavones can maintain bone health. Human studies, including observational and clinical
trial studies also support favourable effects of isoflavones showing the results such
as increasing bone mineral density and bone mechanical strength, and inhibiting
bone turnover in postmenopausal women (Atmaca et al. 2008). Ingestion of isoflavones (more than 90 mg/day of isoflavones) at least 6 months has a significant effect
for increasing spine bone mineral density in meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials however the effects on hip and leg bones are controversial (Taku et al.
2010). Long term safety and efficacy for isoflavones ingestion is needed to be
confirmed.
22.4.1.2 Bone Metabolism
Bones having increased calcium retention are due to isoflavones. So, increasing
bone mineral density. Both genistein and daidzein are effective in preventing bone
loss, but daidzein is more potent of these two compounds. Zn, Mn and Cu are essential trace elements needed for optimal formation of bone matrix and bone mineralization. These elements act as cofactors for some specific enzyme. For example, Zn
acts as the component of the ALP, which is involved in the formation of bone mineral matrix, and deficiency of Zn causes skeletal defects.
22.4.2 Beneficial Effects in Menopausal Women
Isoflavones helps reinforce estrogenic effect after endocrine fall in estrogen levels
through binding to ER-α which then helps to reduce estrogen-related cancer risk.
Through binding to ER-β, isoflavones induce estrogen-like effect and thus show
positive health effects after menopause. In postmenopausal syndrome with hot
flushes and night sweat, isoflavones prescription can decrease the symptoms of
menopause (Setchell and Cassidy 1999). Dietary soy products have slightly and
modestly reduced climacteric vasomotor relative to placebo (Bolanos et al. 2010).
22.4.3 Reduction in Cancer Risk
In vitro and animal studies has shown that isoflavones can reduce cancer risk through
antioxidant and anti-tumorogenic effect, such as blocking ER-α protein and stopping carcinogenesis pathway through inhibiting PTK, tumor cell growth by suppressing DNA replication and various growth factors and controlling enzyme
activities on the signal transduction pathway of carcinogenesis. Epidemiological
studies also show that the soy isoflavones may be associated with a reduction in
22 Health Benefits of Isoflavones Found Exclusively of Plants of the Fabaceae Family