Alfalfa is the richest source of ipriflavone. However, it is also found in propolis (from bees) and some plants. Now that scientific studies have confirmed the bone-health benefits of ipriflavone, researchers have discovered a technology that isolates and mass-produces ipriflavone. Today, ipriflavone is available over-the-counter as a dietary supplement in many bone-building formulas.

Alfalfa is the richest source of ipriflavone.

The chemical name for ipriflavone is 7-isopropoxy isoflavone. The history of plant isoflavones dates back to the 1930s when cattle responded to the estrogenic effects of clover. From there, researchers began studying a variety of plant components to determine exact therapeutic value. "A Hungarian pharmaceutical company actually isolated and discovered ipriflavone in 1969," according to pharmacist Steven Lee, who is research director of TSI Health Sciences. Lee was instrumental in bringing ipriflavone to the United States. He has studied this substance extensively.

"In the early 1980s, pharmaceutical companies in Eastern Europe, Italy, and Japan started investigating ipriflavone's ability to enhance bone density," explains Lee. "Since the mid to late 1980s, ipriflavone has been an approved therapeutic agent for osteoporosis prevention and treatment in Europe and Japan." Dr. Anderson believes ipriflavone is "perhaps the most thoroughly examined compound in the natural health industry." Ipriflavone has been shown to:

• Stimulate the synthesis and secretion of calcitonin, a hormone that promotes calcium metabolism.
• Stimulate bone formation while increasing bone mineral density.
• Decrease fracture rate and complement prescription estrogen therapy.

Healthcare professionals in the United States are also witnessing positive clinical results. Popular radio host and medical director of the Hoffman Center in New York City, Ronald Hoffman, M.D., has many ipriflavone success stories. "I use ipriflavone as either an adjunct to medical treatments such as Fosamax or estrogen, or as a stand-alone treatment. Ipriflavone works specifically on bone receptors and is very safe. I have used it on hundreds of patients." Susan Brown, Ph.D., author of Better Bones, Better Bodies (Keats 1999), is presently conducting various ipriflavone pilot studies at the Osteoporosis Education Project in East Syracuse, New York, of which she is the director. "Ipriflavone is being used as an adjunct therapy for those who require a stronger program to limit bone breakdown and enhance bone formation. Ipriflavone holds more promise as a safe and effective bone-building agent than the drugs presently being used."

Ipriflavone holds promise as a safe and effective bone-building agent.

In his book, The Osteoporosis Solution (Kensington 1999), Carl Germano, R.D., C.N.S., calls ipriflavone an effective alternative to estrogen and believes it is the biggest breakthrough yet in osteoporosis prevention and treatment.

Many women trying to prevent or treat osteoporosis are often presented with conventional hormone replacement therapy (i.e., Premarin®). For women who cannot tolerate the side effects of estrogen or are concerned about their risk of developing breast cancer, many experts believe ipriflavone is a good alternative to estrogen for bone health. Please note that ipriflavone has only been studied on bone health. The effects it may or may not have on menopausal symptoms such as night sweats, hot flashes, insomnia, etc., is not known.