Ipriflavone is a type of flavonoid (a water-soluble plant pigment) that is derived from daidzein, a compound found in soy. Research has shown that it is a vital element that not only helps the body absorb calcium into the bones, but helps prevent those bones from breaking down.
Long-term use of ipriflavone has shown to be safe and effective in stopping bone loss in women who have gone through menopause or who have had their ovaries removed. A 1998 study of women with low bone density showed that compared to a placebo, women given a combination of calcium and ipriflavone had higher vertebral bone density rates. Double-blind studies conducted primarily in elderly women have also demonstrated that ipriflavone is effective in improving bone density and reducing the incidence of fractures and bone-related pain in people with osteoporosis.
For people with low bone density, most practitioners will recommend 200 milligrams of an ipriflavone supplement taken three times per day. Taking the same overall amount of ipriflavone in different doses (i.e., 300 milligrams twice daily) has been shown to be just as effective.
Ipriflavone is present in some foods but only in trace amounts. However, ipriflavone is also available as a dietary supplement, and can be found in tablet, capsule and liquid forms.
Two small studies have shown that long-term use of ipriflavone may result in a significant reduction in lymphocytes (white blood cells), which could increase the risk of infection in some individuals. In both studies, white blood cell levels returned to normal after discontinuing use of ipriflavone, but only after an extended period of time. As a result, women who take ipriflavone should have their white blood cell levels checked regularly by their health care provider. Patients with severe kidney disease should take lower levels of ipriflavone than those without kidney disease.
Some forms of estrogen therapy may increase the need for ipriflavone. Patients taking medications such as Cenestin, conjugated estrogens, esterified estrogens, Estratab, Menest, or Premarin should speak with their health care provider about the effect these drugs can have with ipriflavone. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking ipriflavone or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.
References
Chronic pain afflicts over 20% of the adult population. Sadly, most MDs have essentially no education in treating pain, beyond offering a few toxic medications. Then they tend to steer people with pain away from those health practitioners who are trained. This puts the acupuncture community on the front lines for addressing this epidemic.
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