Written By: Sayer Ji, Founder
According to research published in the British Journal of Pharmacology in 2008, alendronate (Fosamax), raloxifene (Evista) and estradiol (estrogen, E2) are inferior to the phytoestrogen genistein commonly found in fermented soy*, red clover, kudzu, fava beans and coffee, in preserving bone mineral density (quantity) and strength (quality) in an animal model of menopausal osteoporosis.
Genistein has been extensively researched for its potential therapeutic role in osteoporosis prevention and treatment, as well as a mind-boggling 170+ additional health conditions. It is likely the main reason why soy, and particularly fermented soy, has been regarded as both a food and a medicine in Asian culture.
What makes this finding so groundbreaking is that genistein is a food derivative, whereas the three categories of drugs compared to it in the study are evolutionarily and biologically alien chemicals (xenobiotics) with profound, unintended adverse health effects. For example, the class of drugs known as bisphosphonates which include Fosamax have been linked to over 40 adverse health effects.
In essence, this study calls into question the multi-billion dollar “osteoporosis” and “osteopenia” industry’s most lucrative commodities. Foods and food extracts, of course, do not lend themselves to being patented, which is why this study will likely never receive the multi-million dollar funding required to bring it to the level of a human clinical trial. Moreover, natural bone loss associated with aging has been over-medicalized.
*non-fermented soy contains genistin, whereas friendly bacteria in our gut or in cultured foods such as miso biotransform it into genistein.
The true value of this study becomes apparent when we look at the drugs in greater detail. Alendronate (Fosamax), for instance, was originally used to soften water in irrigation systems used in orange groves. It has the ability to ulcerate and puncture the stomach, which is why it is suggested it be taken with water and the person stands or sits up for half an hour. It has been linked to at least 19 serious adverse health effects, including bone fracture itself!
© January 23rd 2012 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.
For the rest of this article please go to
https://tinyurl.com/54h4btjp
