Ipriflavone, a supplement touted as a way to boost bone density appears to have no positive effect on preserving bone mass, according to a new study. As a matter of fact, it may even have the negative effect of suppressing immune function.
Researchers studied a group of 474 postmenopausal women.
The women received either 600 milligrams (mg) of ipriflavone daily or a placebo daily for 3 years.
In addition, all women took 500 mg of calcium daily.
Researchers measured the women's bone density at three different sites (spine, hip and forearm) every 3 months.
No difference in bone density was seen between the two groups.
However, one difference that was discovered was that the women taking the ipriflavone had lower levels of certain white blood cells (lymphocytes) than those taking the placebo.
However, despite this fact, women taking the ipriflavone did not have more frequent attacks of cold or flu than women who took the placebo, lead study author Peter Alexandersen told Reuters Health.
Although he noted that some small studies have suggested ipriflavone is effective in preserving bone mass, the current study found that "in women at risk for osteoporosis, ipriflavone at these doses had no effect on bone density."
Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, September, 2000 Toronto, Canada.
Building bones is far more complex than just taking calcium or any other supplement. Many minerals are required, such as magnesium, manganese, boron, zinc, copper, phosphorus and others. However, if you are consuming large quantities of high quality organic vegetables it is highly likely you will obtain most all of the mineral base you will need to build your bones.
Exercise and eating plenty of whole vegetables are the most profound ways to build bones.
Don't forget that vitamin D is essential to absorb the minerals and unless you have good sun exposure, particularly in the winter, you will need a supplement to prevent bone loss. Even if the warmer months, if you are indoors all day long you will likely be vitamin D deficient as well.
Another article this week discusses the importance of vitamins D and K in bone health, particularly in postmenopausal women. Vitamin K is mostly found in green leafy vegetables, eggs, and is also produced by bacteria in the intestines.
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