Clinical Studies Explore Supplements Part V:
Is it true that protein powder supplementation may help reduce the risk of osteoporosis in women? Experts look at how to reduce bone resorption with the best protein powder products derived from soy.
Benefits of Taking Protein Powder Formulas
Weight loss, with reduced muscle deterioration, is one of the potential benefits of choosing to take a protein supplement, but the best protein powder for peri and premenopausal women is derived from soy.
While many of the top protein powders on the market today are designed as weight loss aids or for bodybuilders wishing to increase lean muscle mass, mature women who are peri or premenopausal (although weight loss may be a concern), building muscle mass is of less importance. In most cases, the reasons 30+ women choose to take a protein powder supplement is to counteract the effects of hormonal changes that may weaken bones and lead to serious conditions such as osteoporosis. The deterioration of the bone structure, whereby protein is lost and bones become weak or brittle, is called bone resorption. How can Soy protein powder help?
Bone Resorption and Soy Protein Powders in Peri and Postmenopausal Women
In a study conducted under the direction of the Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Statistics at the Oklahoma State University, in conjunction with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (by Bahram H. Armandi, Diania A. Khalil, Brenda J. Smith, Edralin A. Lucas, Shanil Juma Marke E. Payton and Robert A. Wild) with findings published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism by The Endocrine Society, the effects of soy protein on bone resorption in postmenopausal woman was investigated.
In an article entitled “Soy Protein Has a Greater Effect on Bone in Postmenopausal Women Not on Hormone Replacement Therapy, as Evidenced by Reducing Bone Resorption and Urinary Calcium Excretion”, the results of a study on protein supplementation showed that “women who are not on HRT (hormone replacement therapy) may greatly benefit from consuming soy products.” Why?
By studying urinary Dpd, the evidence demonstrated that protein supplements “reduced bone resorption” and didn’t lessen the body’s ability to absorb essential calcium, magnesium or phosphorus for healthy bones. But what is “bone resorption” and why do women care that it be reduced?
Bone resorption is simply the break down in bone structure whereby essential bone-building proteins and minerals such as calcium, are lost and therefore may increase the chances of osteoporosis. Mature women, both premenopausal and perimenopausal, are susceptible to this condition due to a change in hormones, as is evidenced by the number of older women who suffer from a propensity to breaking bones, such as the hip bone, resulting in loss of mobility. So, reducing bone resorption is essential to women’s health.
(Examples: Soy Protein Isolate by Now Foods / Optimum Nutrition 100% Soy Protein Powder)
40 Grams of Soy Protein A Day
The above study observed that “peri- and postmenopausal women” who took a soy protein powder supplementation benefited and therefore soy may be a means to help “reduce the risk of osteoporosis”. How much protein powder should be taken daily?
This random study administered 40 grams of soy protein (to half the participants and a milk based protein to the other half) during a period of 3 months. The soy protein powders (taken by the women who participated in the study) demonstrated significant favorable effects in reducing bone resorption in women not taking any kind of hormone replacement therapy.
Milk-Based Protein Powders versus Soy
Although the milk-based protein also helped, it was not as effective as soy. The exact results were based on viewing how this protein supplementation had an “impact on serum IGF-I”, measured by changes in urinary Dpd, and showed that women not on hormone therapy demonstrated a 97% increase in serum IGF-I (which is a binding protein). The conclusions? “These results indicate that soy protein may positively influence bone and calcium homeostasis in postmenopausal women, particularly those not on HRT.”
(Example: MaxiLIFE- Mega Soy by Twinlab – capsules with 80 mg soy isoflavones)
Three Benefits of Soy Protein Supplementation
While a protein powder shake may be helpful to: (1.) lose weight, (2.) retain lean muscle (or reduce muscle deterioration), the best protein powder to (3.) reduce bone resorption and help prevent osteoporosis will be one derived from soy.
Soy protein may be taken in a capsule, however, for faster absorption, many women choose the best protein powder formulas that can be whipped into a shake or taken in liquid form.
For more information, continue reading: Clinical Studies Explore Supplements Part VI: Is Leptin The Best Protein Supplement for Weight Management?…
Investigate a variety of relevant topics regarding supplements and protein:
1. Clinical Studies Explore Supplements Part I: Protein Shakes for Weight Loss and Athletic Performance…
2. Clinical Studies Explore Supplements Part II: Searching for the Best Creatine Supplement…
3. Clinical Studies Explore Supplements Part III: How HMB Muscle Repairing Collagen Supplements Work…
4. Clinical Studies Explore Supplements Part IV: Protein Supplements for Weight Loss…
5. Clinical Studies Explore Supplements Part V: Soy Protein Powder for Peri and Premenopausal Women…
6. Clinical Studies Explore Supplements Part VI: Is Leptin The Best Protein Supplement for Weight Management?…
7. Clinical Studies Explore Supplements Part VII: Do Nitric Oxide Supplements Help Build Muscle Mass?…
