Probiotic supplements and bone health in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
What this study found
Overall, probiotic supplementation showed a modest beneficial effect on lumbar spine bone mineral density and reduced the bone resorption marker CTX. Pooled analysis showed higher lumbar spine BMD versus placebo (SMD=0.27, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.44) and lower CTX (SMD=-0.34, 95% CI -0.60 to -0.09). Total hip BMD did not differ clearly between groups (SMD=0.22, 95% CI -0.07 to 0.52), and BALP, OPG, OC, and TNF were not consistently changed. The authors concluded that probiotics may increase lumbar spinal BMD, but stronger RCT evidence is still needed.
- Study & population
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of 5 randomized controlled trials involving postmenopausal women at risk for osteoporosis in Europe and Asia.
- Intervention
- Randomized trials compared probiotic supplementation with placebo in postmenopausal women.
- Key limitation
- Evidence was based on only 5 RCTs with small individual samples and short follow-up of 6 to 12 months.
View source
Open PDFOriginal abstract
Objective Osteoporosis is a common disease in postmenopausal women. Several studies have analysed the associations between dietary supplementation with probiotics and bone health in postmenopausal women, but the results are still controversial. We conducted this meta-analysis to assess the effects of probiotics supplement on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers for postmenopausal women. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library from their inception to November 2020 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing probiotic supplements and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Study-specific risk estimates were combined using random-effect models. Results Five RCTs (n=497) were included. Probiotic supplements were associated with a significantly higher BMD in the lumbar spine (standardised mean difference, SMD=0.27, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.44) than in control. There was no difference between probiotic supplements and BMD in hips (SMD=0.22, 95% CI −0.07 to 0.52). Collagen type 1 cross-linked C-telopeptide levels in the treatment groups were significantly lower than those of the placebo group (SMD=−0.34, 95% CI −0.60 to −0.09). In subgroup meta-analysis, levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, osteoprotegerin, osteocalcin and tumour necrosis factor did not differ between the probiotic and placebo groups. Conclusions We conclude cautiously that supplementation with probiotics could increase lumbar BMD. More RCTs are recommended to validate or update these results.