A Milk Product Supplemented with a Herbal Extract for the Prevention of Osteoporosis: Justifications and Clinical Trial

Abstract

When osteoporosis presents as a disease, effective, quick therapeutic remedy is required. Potent effective pharmaceuticals are available. When osteoporosis is only a threat, prevention and not treatment should be a logical better choice. While the past two decades might have followed a radical treatment direction and adverse effects of potent bisphosphonates have started to appear, it is appropriate to explore effective means of using nutritional supplements specific for the maintenance of bone health when only active prevention is required. Traditional Chinese medicine works on the principle of physiological balance. One classical herb Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (FLL) has been studied in the laboratory for its bone protection effects which are found very positive. FLL is added to milk powder for daily consumption in a proper evidence-based clinical trial with a placebo group. The results showed that 39 women with post-menopausal period of 8.5±3.5 years, achieved an average increase of 0.97% in the spine bone mineral density (BMD) and a 1.47% increase in the hip score. No increase in body weight was found. It is therefore suggested that FLL could be a suitable bone health supplement in the prevention of osteoporosis.