To conduct the study, the research team from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden recruited 90 elderly women, with the average age of 76. At the beginning of the trial, the team measured and recorded the bone mineral density at the spine, hip, and femoral neck of the participants. The team also aimed to verify whether good bacteria play a role in bone density improvements in humans, as shown in an earlier animal study.
Then, they asked these women to take either the study product, which was a powder that contained the bacteria Lactobacillus reuteri 6475 combined with maltodextrin powder, or the placebo product containing the maltodextrin powder only. The products were taken twice a day for a year. After the treatment of one year, the research team measured the women’s bone loss in their lower legs through a CT scan and compared it with the measurements they initially had.
Results revealed that the participants who received the probiotic supplement had lost only half as much bone in the skeleton in comparison with those who received the placebo product. In addition, the probiotic supplement was deemed safe and did not cause more side effects compared to those experienced by women who received the inactive powder supplements.
Based on the findings of the study, the research team concluded that supplementing with probiotics can be used as a safe and effective way to prevent the development of osteoporosis in many older people.
Other preventive measures for bone loss
Worldwide, osteoporosis is estimated to affect 200 million women — approximately one-tenth of women aged 60, one-fifth of women aged 70, two-fifths of women aged 80, and two-thirds of women aged 90.
The risk of having osteoporosis increases with age. Women over 50 years old and men over 70 years old have a greater risk of osteoporosis than younger women and men. This is mostly because of a decline in estrogen during menopause in women, and a drop in testosterone as men age. As people age, the body may reabsorb calcium and phosphate from the bones instead of keeping these minerals in the bones. In turn, this makes the bones weaker, and can reach a certain stage where it can already be considered as osteoporosis. Here are some ways to prevent osteoporosis:
- Avoid drinking carbonated drinks: Carbonated drinks, such as soft drinks, champagne, and sparkling water leach calcium from the bones. These drinks also contain a lot of phosphates, which cause even more calcium loss. According to a Harvard study, half of the women participants aged 16 to 20 were already exhibiting bone loss because of excess soft drink consumption.
- Don't eat too much protein: Excessive protein consumption causes acidity in the body, which results in calcium losses in the urine.
- Keep your stomach acid: Avoid using acid-blocking drugs, as these drugs significantly increase the risk of osteoporosis. Stomach acid is needed by the body to absorb minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and zinc. (Related: Commonly prescribed antidepressants may cause bone loss in postmenopausal women, study finds.)
- Limit caffeine intake: For every cup of coffee you drink, you lose 150 milligrams (mg) of calcium in your urine. If you can't help but drink caffeinated drinks, at least raise your calcium intake by 150 mg for every cup you consume.
Read more news stories and studies on preventing bone loss in older people by going to Longevity.news.
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