Natto Osteopenia Osteoporosis Prevention

Natto Osteopenia, Osteoporosis Natto is the name given to a fermented soybean dish. It is a favorite in some parts of Japan and it recent research shows that it has some remarkable effects on the human body.

It has long been known that Natto, which has levels of Vitamin K, can thin the blood. But recent studies are showing that this fermented soybean dish has a positive effect on bones building as well. It appears to make bones stronger and less subject to fracture. This could be important news for those with Osteopenia or Osteoporosis......though most Westerners find that natto is an acquired taste.

Four scientific studies: Natto Osteopenia, Osteoporosis prevention.

There have been a number of scientific studies about the health benefits of fermented soybeans....including some that showed benefits for bone density.

  • In 2000 The Journal of Bone Mineral Metabolism published a study  "Intake of fermented soybean . . .increases circulating vitamin K2 (menaquinone-7) and gamma-carboxylated osteocalcin concentration in normal individuals." by Tsukamoto Y, Ichise H, Kakuda H, Yamaguchi M. Japan. This study was conducted on men - not women. . It concluded that: " intake of fermented soybean . . . increases serum levels of MK-7 and gamma-carboxylated osteocalcin in normal individuals.". Since Mk-7 is important for bone building, this could account for much of the beneficial affect of fermented soybeans on bone mineral density.
  • 2002. Pre-menopausal women with a genetic disposition toward low bone density do better with Natto Osteopenia Osteoporosis Prevention.. A study published in the Journal Nutr Scientific Vitaminol in 2002 stated that dietary intake of fememented soybean is "associated with bone mineral density in premenopausal women." This study found that when it is included in the diet, it apparently improved 'bone stiffness' in women whose had a genetic predisposition  for low affinity in Vitamin D receptors.(did not absorb Vitamin D well.)
  • Japanese fermented soybean food as the major determinant of the large geographic difference in circulating levels of vitamin K2: possible implications for hip-fracture risk.".   
    levels in postmenopausal women. Serum MK-7 concentrations were 5.26 +/- 6.13 ng/mL (mean +/- SD) in Japanese women in Tokyo, 1.22 +/- 1.85 in Japanese women in Hiroshima, and 0.37 +/- 0.20 in British women. They " investigated the effect of Japanese fermented soybean food. . . on serum vitamin K levels. And found that serum concentrations of MK-7 were significantly higher in frequent natto eaters, and . . . intake resulted in a marked, sustained increase in serum MK-7 concentration. Among their results: They suggest the possibility that higher MK-7 level resulting from . . consumption may contribute to the relatively lower fracture risk in Japanese women.    
  •  Finally in 2006 there was a study in, the Journal of Nutrition published a study that concluded that: " Intake of fermented soybeans . . . is associated with reduced bone loss in postmenopausal women".  Journal of Nutrition 2006

So the evidence is clear. A dietary staple in parts of Japan, is one reason why Japanese elders have stronger bones than many of their Western counterparts of the same age.  You can buy NATTO at Amazon;

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