Soy Isoflavones speed up the rate of bone building while slowing the rate of bone demineralization unlike prescription drugs which only improve one or the other

Medication for osteoporosis either slows down the breakdown of bone or speeds up the rebuilding of it. Until recently only the mineral Strontium, a nonprescription supplement, has been shown to have both activities. In this cooperative examination of existing studies by Japanese and Chinese scientists it was found that Soy Isoflavones also exhibit both activities; an ability to slow down the breakdown of bone and speed up the rebuilding of bone. The meta-analysis included 9 high quality studies. Evidence of a slowed breakdown was demonstrated by a significantly decreasing level of deoxypyridinolone (Dpyr) in the urine of subjects who consumed soy isoflavones vs. those who didn’t; Dpyr is released by bone when it is breaking down. Evidence of hastened building of bone was demonstrated by changing of the serum level of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase. The analysis is published online ahead of print in the March 2008 issue of the European Journal of Nutrition.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin also benefit healthy eyes reducing the effects of glare

Lutein and Zeaxanthin (L & Z) are colorful natural plant ingredients. They are carotenoids that are macular pigments and a part of the retina of the eye only accepts Lutein as a protective antioxidant-carotenoid. L & Z have a well known ability to slow down the pathology of macular degeneration and even help repair diseased eye tissue. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness in Americans over the age of 55. Recent research shows that L & Z also benefit cataract sufferers. This is the first study to show that L & Z help improve eyes that are healthy.
In the study researchers from the Vision Science Laboratory at the University of Georgia in Athens Ga. recruited 40 healthy subjects and assigned them to receive daily supplements of Lutein 10 mg and Zeaxanthin 2 mg daily for six months. The scientists then looked at the effects of glare on the subjects' eyes as experienced in everyday situations, such as outdoor exposure on bright-sunny days or from lengthy periods looking at computer monitors, or nighttime exposure to the intense beam of oncoming headlights. When the volunteers were tested for their performance in visual tasks following glare, the supplements of L & Z were found to significantly reduce the deleterious effects of glare exposure.
The researchers also report that the density of the macular pigment of the healthy eyes had increased from an average value of 0.41 at the start of the study, to 0.57 after six months of supplementation; this density is a measure of the eye's ability to filter damaging short-wave light. The study is published in the February 2008 issue of the journal Optometry and Vision Science.