Cooperative effects of isoflavones and exercise on bone and lipid metabolism in postmenopausal Japanese women
The study strongly illustrates the brilliant orchestra that is our physiology and how, unless researchers understand this dynamic, the wrong message can make it to the public. The isoflavones in soy have been found to be protective for bone, but not in every study. As it turns out, the isoflavones in soy have to been acted on the correct bacteria in the gut to produce equol. Equol is the compound that has consistently been found to protect bone. So, while soy may be protective to bone, this benefit may be reduced in those patients who have ever been on antibiotics or have a disturbed bacterial flora.
