The Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) has awarded Kinesiology professor Wendy Ward and co-applicant Community Health Sciences associate professor Paul LeBlanc funding of $499,876 for their research “Programming of bone development through early life exposure to soy isoflavones and folic acid.”

The research will follow up on “promising” data that early life exposure to soy isoflavones, present in soy infant formula, and folic acid results in healthier and stronger bones at adulthood.

The four-year project aims to identify long-lasting benefits of early life nutrition to bone and muscle health during aging and in the subsequent generation.

The research may help in developing nutritional guidelines that reduce the risk of osteoporosis-related fragility fracture.

CIHR is Canada’s federal funding agency for health research.