Slevin et al. 2014

Effect of supplementation with short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide and Aquamin on bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in post-menopausal women: A 24 month double blind,  randomised controlled study. 

MM Slevin, PJ Allsopp, PJ Magee, MP Bonham, VR Naughton, JJ Strain, ME Duffy, JM Wallace, & EM McSorley

University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland.

J Nutr 144(3) : 297-304

Background: 

Osteoporosis is a major public health concern with post-menopausal women at particularly high risk. It is known that dietary intake of calcium and other minerals is crucial to slow age-related bone loss. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Aquamin alone and in combination with the prebiotic short-chain, fructo-oligosaccharide (scFOS), Nutraflora, on bone health, specifically bone mineral density and bone biomarkers in 300 post-menopausal women. Short-chain, fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) are known to enhance calcium absorption from the gut. 

Details: 

300 post-menopausal, non-osteoporotic, healthy women aged between 48-75 years old. 

The treatments were: 

  1. Aquamin only (2400mg/day = 800mg Ca/day):
  2. Aquamin + Nutraflora (3.6g/day),
  3. Placebo (Maltrodextrin)
  • DEXA scans for bone mineral density (BMD) were taken at baseline and 24 months.
  • Bone breakdown biomarkers (CTX) and bone formation markers (osteocalcin) were measured at 0, 12 and 24 months.  

Results: 

  • Osteopenic women supplemented with Aquamin and scFOS had less reduction in spinal BMD compared to placebo (Figure 1). 
  • A significant decrease in bone markers (osteocalcin & CTX) observed in both treatment groups (Figure 2).
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