Alternative therapies for osteoporosis.

A variety of common complementary and alternative medicine therapies are now being examined for effectiveness in the management of osteoporosis. Short-term studies in postmenopausal women show beneficial effects of soy isoflavone supplementation on bone density, but its long-term effects require clarification. Prospective controlled trials have shown that physical training can increase bone density to varying degrees. Other therapies that have been examined include herbal formulae, essential fatty acids and vitamins A, C, and K, but few data regarding their effectiveness, mechanisms and safety have been published. Further randomized controlled trials are needed.