Page 38 - FoodFocusThailand No.169 April 2020

STRATEGIC R & D

flatulence. Various studies, therefore, turn to nutraceuticals as an
alternative approach, which relies on nutrients to produce healthier bone
and offer more effective osteoporosis treatments.

Herbs and Phytochemicals
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) contains ipriflavone, an isoflavone
1derivative, that plays a role in suppressing bone resorption and
stimulating estrogen’s function. Ipriflavone is a phytoestrogen found in
alfalfa and is reported to have stimulatory effects on bone formation. In
a study, a group of male rats with prednisolone-induced osteoporosis
was administered oral dose of ipriflavone for 12 weeks; the result
revealed improved bone density in their femurs in proportion to the
administered doses of ipriflavone.
Red clover extract contains a high concentration of isoflavones
2such as genistein, daidzein, biochanin A, and formononetin, which
can be used to treat postmenopausal conditions. Genistein and daidzein,
in especial, are phytoestrogens that can be applied in the suppression
of postmenopausal bone resorption as they bear structural similarity to
estrogen hormones. A comparative study of a genistein-based treatment
versus a hormone-based approach shows that, after a 12-week period, formation. An experiment with 58 postmenopausal female participants
both methods could successfully increase bone density, thus confirming revealed that, after a 3-month intake of 100 grams of dried plums or
the notion that phytoestrogens can reduce bone resorption without any 75 grams of dried apples that contained the same amount of calories,
side effects in comparison with the hormone-based alternative. the dried plum group, according to the biological bone markers
Horsetail is used as an herbal remedy for osteoporosis thanks to collected before and after experiment, exhibited higher levels of IGF-
3its phytochemical contents that are beneficial to bone health. Apart 1 (Insulin-like growth factor)* and BSAP (Bone Specific Alkaline
from a high amount of silica, which is essential to bone calcium and Phosphatase)* than the dried apple group. *IGF is an important and
collagen production, horsetail also contains flavonoids such as quercetin, indispensable factor for bone-forming osteoblasts while *BSAP is a
kaempferol, luteolin, and apigenin, which inhibit bone resorption. protein that is essential to bone formation.
Citrus fruits, including orange or lemon, are a good source of Resveratrol is a phytoestrogen and a polyphenolic compound
4micronutrients and phytochemicals such as potassium, magnesium, 9found in red wine, grapes, and cranberries. Resveratrol has
vitamin C, folic acid, limonoids, and flavonoids. Studies reveal that antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In a study, lab rats were
limonoids and flavonoids have antioxidant and bone-enhancing administered doses of resveratrol equivalent to 25 mg/kg/day and 45
properties. Oxidative stress is a major contributor to aging process, mg/kg/day and were consequently found to have higher levels of
which consequently leads to osteoporosis. Consuming citrus fruits can serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, which is indicative of
improve bone health and prevent oxidative stress and osteoporosis. resveratrol’s stimulating effects on bone-forming ability of osteoblasts
Hesperidin, a type of citrus fruit flavonoid, has been proven to prevent that contributes to stronger bone structure.
bone resorption in lab rats. Dairy products contain an abundance of calcium and other
Onions contain a high level of flavonoids, including quercetin and 10nutrients that are beneficial to the prevention of osteoporosis.
5rutin that mainly consists of sulfur and has strong antioxidant effects. In addition to protein, fat, potassium, sodium, zinc, phosphate, and
A preclinical study has found that onions help suppress bone resorption vitamins A and B2, dairy products also contain milk compounds such
and maintain normal level of bone mass. According to the blood analysis as casein phosphopeptide and lactoferrin that are good for bone
of the participants in a scientific study, the subjects who were health.
administered oral dose of onion juice of 100 ml/day for 8 weeks, in Probiotics are a group of bacteria that can be found in human
comparison with a control group with placebo consumption, exhibited 11intestines. They can produce short chain fatty acids as the final
an altered level of oxidants, phosphatases, and antioxidant activities. products. Probiotics improve bone health by producing vitamin D, C,
Also, the bone density of 3 postmenopausal female participants was K, and folates that assist in calcium metabolism and are essential to
improved after onion juice intake. bone formation. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria are important to
Green tea is made of Camellia sinensis tea leaves that are dried in bone. In an experiment, the femurs of the lab rats that had been fed
6high temperature to inhibit enzyme oxidation. It contains catechin- with food containing Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus
group phenols such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate that is proven to help plantarum exhibited higher trabecular number in comparison to those
slowdown bone resorption by inhibiting the function of osteoclasts and in the control group. The result suggested that the experimental group
boosting bone formation effects of osteoblasts. had stronger bones than the control one.
Berries, including strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, and Prebiotics, such as oligosaccharides, instead of being broken
7blackcurrant, are a great source of organic acids such as fumaric 12down in the digestive system, are usually fermented by
and citric acids. They also contain vitamins, such as A, B9, C, E, and intestinal microorganisms – a phenomenon that helps stimulate the
K, other minerals, and carotenoids. Berries exhibit antioxidant and anti- growth of beneficial intestinal microbes, which assist in mineral
inflammatory effects. Raspberry ketone accelerates bone formation absorption and speed up bone mineralization. Galacto-oligosaccharide
effects of osteoblasts. (GOS) was tested in 5 randomized groups of 75 male lab rats that
Plums, including dried plums and prunes, contain carbohydrates, were administered food containing 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8% by weight of
8vitamins A, B, and K, potassium, calcium, magnesium, boron, GOS for 8 weeks. The result showed that the calcium absorption rate
selenium, fibers, and polyphenolic compounds such as chlorogenic increased in proportion to the amount of GOS administered. Moreover,
acid, rutin, and proanthocyanidin. Boron and selenium support bone the supplement of GOS also improved the absorption of magnesium
metabolism and bone density retention. The main polyphenolic and calcium in femurs. The retention of calcium and magnesium also
compounds present in plums inhibit bone resorption and boost bone enhanced the rats’ femoral and tibial strength, indicating the positive
effects of GOS on bone health.
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