There has been great interest, especially in the holistic medical community, in the use of phytoestrogens, estrogen-like compounds that come from plant sources. Unlike ERT, the phytoestrogens are believed to be safe for women who cannot or do not want to take estrogen. One of the botanical classes of phytoestrogens is flavonoids and one of the flavanoids is isoflavone.

Several years ago there was great interest in the use of ipriflavone, a synthetic flavonoid derivative of isoflavone, to treat osteoporosis. Early studies in Japan and Italy, in and out of a laboratory setting, suggested the ipriflavone prevented bone loss and might increase bone mass. A more recent study, reported in the Journal of the Journal of the American Medical Association reported the results of a 36 month, double blind, Danish study that attempted to find out if oral supplementation with ipriflavone, would prevent bone loss in post-menopausal women. One group received three 200 mgm. doses of ipriflavone a day and the other group received a sugar pill. Both groups took a calcium supplement. At the end of the trial the change in bone mass density (BMD) in the both groups was the same at all measured sites.

Science is an evolutionary process and these studies affirm that conclusions derived from a single study or two should always be viewed as preliminary. It points out once again that even when a substance delivers a benefit it might also create other problems.

It remains to be seen whether supplemental phytoestrogen in the form of ipriflavone is useful in treating oteopororosis. However, with so many supplement companies promoting ipriflavone for osteoporosis prevention and treatment based on those early studies, a word of warning is prudent here. All the studies showed that some of the women taking ipriflavone developed lymphocytopenia, a condition marked by an abnormally low level of disease fighting white blood cells (lymphocytes). We agree with investigators who say ipriflavone should not be considered an effective or safe medication in the treatment of osteoporosis and should be discouraged until more data allow reconsideration of this position.

P. S. The phytoestrogen, soy, is widely encouraged in the diet and I'm in agreement with most nutritionists and dietitians who believe it's a viable alternative to red meat. It's high in fiber, cholesterol-free, and doesn't contain the antibiotics and hormones that are of concern to folks who want to eat foods without additives. Women who use soy products to reduce the hot flashes of menopause swear it works. However that is not the case with phytoestrogen supplements that are soy based. They simply don't work and have the potential to cause problems. Use the real stuff or don't use it at all.