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Ipriflavone is a synthetic substance derived from the plant
isoflavone genistein. Genistein is found primarily in soya in the
form of genistin but can be found in smaller amounts in other
plants. Ipriflavone is sometimes referred to as a phytoestrogen;
however it is important to note that it does not exhibit any direct
estrogenic activity, or doesn't activate estrogen receptors.
However, ipriflavone does appear to have a positive effect on bone
density. In both Japan and some European countries, ipriflavone has
been approved for treating involutional
osteoporosis.
Medical Indications of
Ipriflavone
It is believed that ipriflavone is able
to stimulate the incorporation of calcium in bone and is able to
inhibit the breakdown of bone. Several clinical studies, including
many double-blind studies, provided compelling evidence that
long-term treatment with ipriflavone (along with 1,000 mg
supplemental calcium per day) is not only safe but also effective in
stopping bone deterioration in postmenopausal women or in women who
have had their ovaries removed. In cases of osteoporosis,
ipriflavone has also been found to improve bone density.
In a
study of 56 post-menopausal women suffering from low bone density,
ipriflavone supplementation (with calcium) appeared to provide very
positive effects. Each received 200 mg of ipriflavone 3 times daily
as well as 1000 mg of calcium daily for two years. While vertebral
bone density declined by 4.9% after two years in women taking only
calcium (placebo group), there was no change in bone density among
the 56 woman taking ipriflavone supplementation in combination with
calcium.
However, one double-blind study has failed to
confirm the beneficial effect of ipriflavone. In that study,
ipriflavone was no more effective than a placebo for preventing bone
loss in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. As the women in this
study were much older (60 years+) than women used for most studies,
it may be that ipriflavone is only effective in younger
women.
Dosage and Administration
The
typical dose for use in the management of osteoporosis is 200
milligrams taken twice or three times daily.
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