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Dried plum reverses bone loss in postmenopausal women
Author(s) -
Hooshmand Shirin,
Chai Sheau C,
Saadat Raz L,
Arjmandi Bahram H
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.329.7
Subject(s) - postmenopausal women , medicine
Aside from existing drug therapies, certain lifestyle and nutritional factors are known to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Among nutritional factors, dried plum is the most effective fruit in both preventing and reversing bone loss. The objective of this study was to examine the extent to which dried plum reverses bone loss in osteopenic postmenopausal women. We recruited 236 women, 1 to 10 years postmenopausal, not on hormone replacement therapy or any other prescribed medications. One hundred and sixty qualified participants were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: dried plum (100 g/d) or dried apple (control) for one year. Participants received 500 mg elemental calcium plus 400 IU vitamin D daily. Bone mineral density of lumbar spine, forearm, hip, and whole body were assessed at baseline and the end of the study using DXA. Blood and 24‐hr urine samples were collected at baseline, 3‐, 6‐, and 12‐month to assess bone biomarkers and bone metabolism measurements. Physical activity recall and one‐week food frequency questionnaire were obtained at baseline, 3‐, 6‐, and 12‐month to examine physical activity and dietary confounders as potential covariates. Dried plum significantly increased BMD of ulna and spine in comparison to the dried apple group. In comparison with corresponding baseline values, only dried plum significantly decreased serum levels of bone turnover markers including BALP and TRAP 5b.