Short-Term Effects of Kefir-Fermented Milk Consumption on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Metabolism in a Randomized Clinical Trial of Osteoporotic Patients.

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

Milk products are good sources of calcium that may reduce bone resorption and help prevent bone loss as well as promote bone remodeling and increase bone formation. Kefir is a product made by kefir grains that degrade milk proteins into various peptides with health-promoting effects, including antithrombotic, antimicrobial and calcium-absorption enhancing bioactivities. In a controlled, parallel, double-blind intervention study over 6 months, we investigated the effects of kefir-fermented milk (1,600 mg) supplemented with calcium bicarbonate (CaCO3, 1,500 mg) and bone metabolism in 40 osteoporosis patients, and compared them with CaCO3 alone without kefir supplements. Bone turnover markers were measured in fasting blood samples collected before therapy and at 1, 3, and 6 months. Bone mineral density (BMD) values at the spine, total hip, and hip femoral neck were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at baseline and at 6 months. Among patients treated with kefir-fermented milk, the relationships between baseline turnover and 6 months changes in DXA-determined BMD were significantly improved. The serum β C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX) in those with T-scores > -1 patients significantly decreased after three months treatment. The formation marker serum osteocalcin (OC) turned from negative to positive after 6 months, representing the effect of kefir treatment. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) increased significantly after treatment with kefir, but decreased significantly in the control group. PTH may promote bone remodeling after treatment with kefir for 6 months. In this pilot study, we concluded that kefir-fermented milk therapy was associated with short-term changes in turnover and greater 6-month increases in hip BMD among osteoporotic patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION:

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02361372.

• Authors: Min-Yu Tu, Hsiao-Ling Chen, Yu-Tang Tung, Chao-Chih Kao, Fu-Chang Hu, Chuan-Mu Chen
• Journal: PloS one (PLoS One) Vol. 10 Issue 12 Pg. e0144231 ( 2015) ISSN: 1932-6203 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26655888 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Collagen Type I
• Parathyroid Hormone
• Peptides
• collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide
• Osteocalcin
• Calcium Carbonate
• Calcium

Topics

• Absorptiometry, Photon
• Aged
• Bone Density
• Bone and Bones (metabolism)
• Calcium (blood)
• Calcium Carbonate (therapeutic use)
• Collagen Type I (blood)
• Cultured Milk Products
• Dietary Supplements
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Osteocalcin (blood)
• Osteoporosis (diet therapy, metabolism, pathology)
• Parathyroid Hormone (blood)
• Peptides (blood)
• Placebo Effect
• Treatment Outcome