Lactobacilli against osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease accompanied by the leaching of calcium from bones, leading to a decrease in their strength and fractures, even with a small mechanical impact. It is most common in older women.

Currently, effective treatment regimens for osteoporosis have been developed, but the diagnosis is usually made only after the first fracture. Therefore, it is extremely important to develop preventive measures.

A group of researchers from the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) has proved that probiotics halve bone loss in older women. They conducted a double–blind randomized clinical trial involving 90 elderly (average age 76 years) women with low bone mineral density who received a powder with probiotics (Lactobacillus reuteri 6475 bacterium) or placebo daily for one year. Neither the researchers nor the participants themselves knew who was receiving active treatment and who was receiving a placebo.

At the beginning and at the end of the study, bone density was assessed using computed tomography. In patients from the treatment group, bone density was twice as high as in women who received a placebo. The powder with probiotics was well tolerated, no side effects were noted.

Lactobacillus reuteri 6475 is a bacterium that has many proven positive effects and is widely used in the production of food additives. It settles in the gastrointestinal tract and is one of the components of the normal microflora.

If the results are confirmed in larger studies with a long follow-up period, taking probiotics may become an effective and safe way to prevent osteoporosis in the elderly.

Article by A. G. Nilsson et al. Lactobacillus reuteri reduces bone loss in older women with low bone mineral density – a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, clinical trial published in the Journal of Internal Medicine.

Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of the University of Gothenburg: Probiotics can protect the skeletons of older women.