A $4.5 million study to be conducted at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston will examine the health benefits of soy isoflavone supplementation in reducing bone loss in postmenopausal women.

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According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, about 30 million American women aged 50 and older already have osteoporosis or are at risk for developing the disease.

Isoflavones, with chemical structures similar to estradiol, are found in abundance in soy protein. Isoflavones have been shown to reduce bone loss in the lumbar spine of peri- and postmenopausal women. The study will be the first large-scale, long-term trial to document the safety, efficacy, and optimal dosage of soy isoflavones to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. They may provide a natural alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapy. SoyLife, a soy germ ingredient, Acatris USA Inc., Minneapolis, formerly Schouten USA Inc., will be used in the study.

In other news, SoyLife is a main ingredient in a new men's prostate bar manufactured by Food-Nutrition Inc. in Toronto. The Pros-Tect Men's Energyâ„¢ bar includes a combination of 20 ingredients; each bar delivers 20mg of soy isoflavones daily.

Laurent Leduc, Acatris USA Inc., 952-920-7700, laurent.leduc@us.acatris.com.