More than half of all adult Caucasian women suffer from osteopenia, the International Osteoporosis Foundation reports. Osteopenia is a disease characterized by low bone mass that often precedes the more serious osteoporosis. Those at risk for osteopenia may want to consume soy milk, as it contains nutrients that promote strong and resilient bones.
Background
Osteopenia is defined at a T-score --a measurement of bone mineral density compared to ideal bone mass-- of -1 to 2.5, Harvard University Medical School reports. Risk factors for osteopenia include advanced age, being female, poor intake of calcium, low vitamin D status and smoking. If left untreated, osteopenia can lead to osteoporosis -- a more dangerous bone disease that significantly increases your risk of bone fractures. Adding soy milk to a bone-healthy diet may help slow the progression from osteopenia to osteoporosis.
Calcium
Calcium is the building block of your bones. Although you may not be able to feel it, your bones are not inert structures. They are almost constantly remodeling themselves --a process known as bone turnover. Bone turnover requires a steady stream of calcium from the diet. Soy milk is a good source of dietary calcium. A 1-cup serving of soy milk contains approximately 100 mg of calcium -- more than 10 percent of your daily needs, the United Soybean Board states.
Isoflavones
Soybeans are rich in unique compounds known as isoflavones. Isoflavones resemble the estrogen that your body naturally produces. Consuming soy isoflavones regularly can help reduce bone loss from the spine, a research study published in the February 2008 edition of "Clinical Nutrition" found. In this study of 600 women, it was found that soy isoflavone intake was associated with higher levels of bone mineral density.
Considerations
Osteopenia is a medical condition that should be treated under the care of a doctor. Soy milk alone may not impact your bone mineral density. In addition to soy milk, other things you can do to promote bone mass include strength training, consumption of dairy products and getting adequate vitamin D from supplements or sunlight. You can add more soymilk to your diet by drinking it, adding it to dry cereal and oatmeal or using it in baking.
References
- International Osteoporosis Foundation: Facts and Statistics
- Harvard Medical School: Osteopenia: When You Have Weak Bones, but Not Osteoporosis
- United Soybean Board: Soy Nutritional Composition
- "Clinical Nutrition"; Soy Isoflavone Intake Increases Bone Mineral Density in the Spine of Menopausal Women: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials; D.F. Ma, et al.; February 2008
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