Isoflavones are naturally occurring organic compounds in humans and other mammals. Ipriflavone is a synthetic isoflavone that does not occur naturally and is produced in a laboratory or factory. When a person fails to produce enough isoflavones, synthetic ipriflavone could be taken as a supplement. Ipriflavone is found either by itself or in capsules and tablets combined with calcium and other bone-maintaining vitamins and minerals. It may help keep away bone-eroding cells called osteoplasts, and prevent the body from using up its own calcium reserves.
A lack of isoflavones could result in the body’s inability to retain calcium and other minerals that could prevent bone deterioration. Bone deterioration commonly leads to the lack of bone density, which is known as osteoporosis, or fragile bones. The process of bone deterioration can be a vicious cycle. A body can use up its own natural calcium reserves because it is not regularly absorbing more calcium. Some foods even remove calcium from the body during the process of digestion and elimination.
The human body typically needs calcium to maintain healthy bone density and even teeth. A lack of isoflavone retention in the body is not the only result of aging. People also may lack the ability to absorb other beneficial vitamins and minerals from food and supplements.
Many isoflavone replacement supplements, including ipriflavone, often come from soy. Although eaten around the world for many centuries, soy has become internationally popular as a food item in modern times. It also has been ingested in the form of soy milk and supplements to maintain bone health and prevent osteoporosis.
Soy isoflavones, however, are also known to cause adverse effects by encouraging the body to produce too much estrogen. This can have the same result as taking the wrong hormone replacement therapy for women reaching menopause or post menopause. Whereas the proper amount of estrogen may prevent breast cancer, the opposite could happen when there is too much estrogen. Ipriflavone may do the same.
Ipriflavone has been shown in some studies to lower the body’s white blood cell count. A drop in white blood cells can suppress the immune system. Whether or not this effect appears in a person would depend on the chemical make-up of the body prior to and during the taking of the supplement, such as a patient's health, lifestyle, and diet.
If risk is a concern, most health care practitioners concur that bone density can be maintained with proper diet and weight-bearing exercise. Also, taking the correct doses of calcium, magnesium, boron, and vitamins K and D could help, as well. A person typically should consult a physician or natural health practitioner before taking any supplements, including ipriflavone.
