Prevention of osteoporosis by foods and dietary supplements. Bone reinforcement factor in milk: milk basic protein (MBP)

Abstract

Milk has been drunk widely for long time, because it contains superior nutritive value. In particular, milk is the supplying source of good calcium of bioavailability, in comparison with other foods. In addition, whey protein is a by-product of cheese and casein production, and we have showed that this whey protein plays a functional role for bone remodeling (bone formation and bone resorption). And, it became clear by an examination of in vitro that there were the active substances that promote bone formation and suppress bone resorption in the basic protein fraction (milk basic protein: MBP). Furthermore, it was shown that whey protein and MBP enhanced bone strength of femur in ovariectomized rats. In addition, some human studies clearly showed that MBP improved the balance of bone metabolism and increased bone density. As for MBP, MBP, which contributes to bone health, is expected as a new food material extracted from milk.