I’m wondering if anyone else is taking Genistein Soy Isoflavones? I had never heard of it until my doctor (a rheumatologist) recommended it for me due to my severe osteoporosis. I read that it is commonly used to help relieve hot flashes and didn’t see much about it helping bones. However, then I found this article (see item #5): healthline.com/nutrition/os...
It sounds promising to me. I’ve been taking it about a month now (2 tablets twice daily with a meal). The tablets are large, but I’m getting used to them. The brand my doctor recommended is Source Naturals which he said is a good company. It’s available online at Vitacost.
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yes! If you search this forum for Fosteum Plus, you’ll see a discussion I started just a month or so ago, with some good info. My doctor recommended as well. However, I am waiting until June to begin. I am having another DEXA scan at the end of May. I’m having to travel to out of state, because no DEXA group in my home state of South Carolina is accredited. So I’m traveling to Raleigh, North Carolina, where my doctor has recommended me to a group that is accredited. After we get that new baseline, I’ll be taking the Fosteum. In my other post, someone there has been taking it. She’s having a scan in July, I believe, and will update us!
Thanks for your helpful reply! I looked up your discussion on Fosteum Plus and at my next appointment with the rheumatologist I will ask him about taking it & find out if my insurance will help with the cost. I do remember him mentioning it, but there was information overload at my first appointment & it was decided I would just take the Genistein tablets to start with. At the time I was just glad that he didn’t push the Osteoporosis meds, weighing the possible positive benefit vs possible negative side effects. I was also in a bit of shock to hear him call my osteoporosis severe and being told I should not be lifting over 15 pounds.
I see that Fosteum Plus contains Genistein along with other supplements that I’m already taking like Vit D3 and K2 as MK-7. It also includes calcium which I’ve been trying to get in my diet, but finding it a challenge to get enough naturally. So, it sure would be easier to take the 2 Fosteum Plus pills instead of my assortment of numerous pills. My next DEXA won’t be until a year and a half from now. We shall see what happens by then!
Much of the research has been on menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, etc.
There has been some promising research on bone health issues, but the "take-away" is that needs "to be confirmed by a large, well designed, and appropriately focused randomized clinical trial in a population at high risk of fractures"
A few references:
"The dose-dependent effects of genistein, especially when considering its metabolites and factors that vary by individuals, indicate that consumption of genistein may contribute to beneficial effects in women’s health and disease prevention and treatment. However, consumption and exposure levels are nuanced because adverse effects have been observed at lower concentrations in in vitro models. Therefore, this points to the duplicity of genistein as a possible therapeutic agent in some instances and as an endocrine disruptor in others." (Yu L, Rios E, Castro L, Liu J, Yan Y, Dixon D. Genistein: Dual Role in Women's Health. Nutrients. 2021;13(9):3048. Published 2021 Aug 30. doi:10.3390/nu13093048
There are also a number of contraindications for various medical conditions: breast cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid disease, pregnancy, and several others.
"These [data] suggest that a high isoflavone intake, restores the metabolic balance of bone formation and resorption. However, this matter is still controversial and several reports show negative results, probably because different doses and/or isoflavones have been used." (Bitto A, Polito F, Squadrito F, Marini H, D'Anna R, Irrera N, Minutoli L, Granese R, Altavilla D. Genistein aglycone: a dual mode of action anti-osteoporotic soy isoflavone rebalancing bone turnover towards bone formation. Curr Med Chem. 2010;17(27):3007-18. doi: 10.2174/092986710791959738. PMID: 20629630. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/206... )
Yes, I have look into this as well. To me, there is just not enough studies on this yet. I have kidney stones and anyone with kidney issues or gets kidney stones should not use this product. Another issue with soy is that it has been genetically modified in most instances. If you decide to take, make sure supplement is either organic or says on the bottle, Non GMO
I am scared to go on medicine but scared not to . I am considering the lowest dose of 5 mgs Alctonel every third day to just try it . I mentioned that I would accept that to my dr just to test my physical reaction to the medicine but I also want to continue my 250 mgs strontium citrate per day and the 45 mgs per day of k2 mk4 and the other supplements . I think she said “ we don’t like people taking that at the same time as the medicine bc then we won’t know if they got better from that or the medicine. Ha! Or huh? Why wouldn’t they start with strontium citrate then ? Has it just not been studied ?
I certainly understand the feeling of being scared to take the medicine vs scared to not take it. My first DEXA was 7 years ago. The diagnosis of osteoporosis was a shock to me. My primary care physician prescribed an osteoporosis medicine for me & I fully intended to take it. I had the prescription filled; however, after reading all the possible bad side effects I ended up throwing it in the trash.
Are you seeing a specialist? I’m asking because over the years my PCP just kept telling me to take the prescription drugs; whereas, when I finally saw the rheumatologist he understood my concerns and was encouraging that I could try Genistein which is an over the counter supplement along with the supplements I’m already taking. He also did some blood tests to rule out some things and to check my Vitamin D levels.
what genistein do you take ? Generally I don’t do well with soy but I could try it. At this point I am not even sure if the strontium citrate is a risk or good and then so many people say k 2 mk4 is better than k7 and I heard last night k7 is better . . . I don’t even know if natural choices will be enough treatment for my severe OP and if delaying is not smart
here’s the one I’m taking: vitacost.com/source-natural... Since you don’t do well with soy, you might want to order the smaller amount at first & see how it goes for you.
As far as K2, I take the MK7 kind since I’ve heard that it stays in our system longer.
Anytime you start "mixing" medications (including over-the-counter and supplements) you can change the results. Some can negate the effectiveness, or multiply it (and that is not necessarily a good thing), or subtract from it.
Combinations may cause side effects.
Also remember, supplements are unregulated -- and purity and dosage can vary wildly. (I find "small pharma" scarier that "big pharma" because they are not regulated of tested.)
Strontium citrate (which is an unregulated supplement) can show false improvements in bone density. (Strontium is heavier than calcium and when it substitutes for calcium in the bone matrix the bone density might appear higher. It will skew the results of DXA scans for an unknown number of years.)
So if you are taking strontium citrate along with a medication you won't know if meds are working.
If your healthcare provider wants you to take a supplement, he/she will prescribe it.
I didn't know you could stop Forteo anytime. I took it inn 2007 via injections. Is it still just via self-injections? I stopped after 4 months due to doing a lot of travel and it had to be refrigerated continuously. Also, I had a tummy full of bruises and if given in legs, it producted a red rash at site. I was told if I took it 2 years I'd never have to take anything else for osteoporosis. I was also told that because I quit after 4 months, I can't take it again. I've refused Prolia for years, due to terrible side effects. I only take supplements now.
My mom had 1 Prolia injection and had a horrid hip reaction. I did NOT know she had had it but I got a phone call from her to come immediately--worst pain of her life, and when we went to doc, she was diagnosed with a muscle spasm! While in the room with her, she commented to doc, "I don't think I like that stuff I got last month." I said what stuff? She said, "What is it called? Prolia?" I KNEW what her problem was, but doc said no that was NOT it. We ended up in emergency room 2 days later with another wrong diagnosis and script for prednisone, way too much, and other wrong meds.
Bless you for sharing your story and efforts to "get it"! I finally gave up on all of it. Doing fine and my DEXA stays the same, certainly awful, but not worse as time goes by.
strontium citrate skews results 10% of gain so if you improve a whole number like go -4 % to -3% , strontium citrate exaggerate results by .10 or 10% of gain . If you improve . 6 then it’s 6% of gain. People are so worried about false Dexas. What matters is growing back soft normal healthy bone and not brittle bone that prescriptions do
That a simple equation -- perhaps too simple. Like many other things, it's dose and duration dependent. It also doesn't take into account how long the strontium stays in the bones once you stop taking it.
Replacing the mineral in a degraded bone matrix with something heavier, does not improve the bone matrix.
And the big issue is fracture risk. Only about have of fracture risk is attribuatable to BMD.
the research is that with 680 mgs daily and then there is improvement, that is natural soft bone improvement and not brittle bone like medications, that at that dose daily the exaggeration is 10%. I take 250- 500 mgs per day because my capsules are in 250 mg dose.
My endocrinologist said “ we don’t like people taking both strontium citrate and medicine because then if they improve how do we know which one helped them improve? That means that it’s possible one can improve with strontium citrate.
At this point I don’t have a better option because my numbers are extreme and I want to be able to heal well from any bone fractures or dental problems, and people are healing fine and well on strontium citrate where they are not healing well from medicine or shots. I also take the 45 mgs k2 mk4 , I also walk daily and go to the gym. It’s actually the gym that making me feel most able to have quicker reflexes and more flexible with rocks and branches and things I have to dodge or teeter off of or be nimble about. I challenge myself every day in a physical way to make myself more and more pliable / flexible /nimble. I have a long climb ahead of me and I might succumb to daily shots
Yes, 2 good points. 1) It’s not for anyone with kidney issues. My husband had a kidney stone and he said it was the worst thing he’s ever experienced, even worse than when he had a heart attack. And, 2) yes, I checked on my bottle and it comes from non-GMO soy.
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