DENVER, June 22 (Jun 22, 2001 11:3:6 EST) -- New research presented today at ENDO 2001, the 83rd Annual Meeting of The Endocrine Society, which is taking place in Denver, Colorado this week, shows a link between postmenopausal health and dietary phytoestrogens. A panels of researchers presented three new studies, which all demonstrate that phytoestrogens -- a compound found in legumes such as soybeans, peas, lentils, soybean sprouts, podded plants and soy products such as tofu and soymilk -- may benefit the health and, specifically, bones of postmenopausal women.

In a study out of China, researchers studied 357 postmenopausal Chinese women to determine whether a link exists between dietary phytoestrogen intake and bone mineral density. Among the subjects, the average phytoestrogen intake was 21 mg/day -- a number that is seven times higher than the phytoestrogen intake of the Western population. The study showed a link between high phytoestrogen intake and increases in bone mineral density.

"We found that women who ate 60 milligrams of phytoestrogens per day, which is the equivalent of two pieces of tofu or 3 cups of soy milk, had stronger bones" said Dr. Annie Kung, Professor at the University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, who presented the study at the press conference. "These results suggest that phytoestrogens might help protect women's bones as they go through menopause."

Another study, which was presented by Dr. Trent Lund, an endocrinologist and researcher at Colorado State University, found a link between a diet high in phytoestrogens and decreases in body fat, body weight, prostate weight and blood pressure as well as alterations in insulin and leptin levels in adults. In the study, which was conducted by researchers at Colorado State University and Bringham Young University, male and female rats were fed either a phytoestrogen-rich diet or a phytoestrogen-free diet. The research showed that leptin levels significantly increased in both male and female rats that were fed phytoestrogen-rich diets compared with rats who received phytoestrogen-free diets. According to Dr. Lund, "the insulin levels in female rats who were fed phytoestrogen-rich diets were also significantly increased compared with females fed the phytoestrogen free diet."

Finally, Dr. Lee-Jane Lu, an investigator in nutrition research, and her colleagues-Drs. Manubai Nagamani and Karl E. Anderson-at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, presented a study conducted in the university's General Clinical Research Center that examined whether soy consumption alters bone metabolism in postmenopausal women. The researchers studied the markers that reflect bone turnover in 12 healthy, postmenopausal women not on hormone replacement therapy. The women were studied before, during and after they ate a soy diet containing 112 mg of isoflavones for 16 weeks.

"Our findings suggest that soy consumption may stimulate bone turnover or formation," said Dr. Lee-Jane Lu. "Additional studies are now needed to determine whether soy diets have a long term beneficial effect on bone and a direct impact on fracture rates in women."

ENDO 2001, the 83rd Annual Meeting of The Endocrine Society, takes place in Denver, Colorado, June 20-23, 2001. Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world's oldest, largest, and most active organization devoted to research on hormones, and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society's membership consists of over 9,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students, in more than 80 countries. Together, these members represent all basic, applied, and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Bethesda, Maryland. To learn more about the Society, and the field of endocrinology, visit the Society's web site at http://www.endo-society.org .