The study, published in Nutrition Research, suggested that supplementation with the nutraceutical resulted in significantly lower serum osteocalcin concentrations (a biomarker for bone formation) and a higher blood levels of vitamin D.
“Treatment with rho iso-alpha acids, berberine, vitamin D3, and vitamin K1 produced a more favourable bone biomarker profile indicative of healthy bone metabolism in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome,” said the authors, led by Joseph Lamb, from MetaProteomics, LLC, a subsidiary of Metagenics, Inc, USA.
Bone health
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MetS
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a collection of metabolic conditions including abdominal obesity, raised blood pressure, high triglyceride concentration, low HDL cholesterol, or high glucose.
Lamb and colleagues noted that in postmenopausal women, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is between 40 and 50 per cent.
Reductions in oestrogen levels during menopause have been associated with increased production of pro-inflammatory, which stimulate the activity of osteoclasts and increase bone resorption leading to profound bone loss, explained the authors.
They noted that as such metabolic syndrome poses additional risks for postmenopausal women who are already at risk for osteoporosis, and as such maintenance of bone health should be a priority.
“Nutrition undoubtedly plays an important role in the prevention and amelioration of both osteoporosis and metabolic syndrome. For example, vitamin D, vitamin K, calcium, and other nutrients are essential for bone health,” explained Lamb.
Hop (Humulus lupulus) rho iso-alpha acids (RIAAs), are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, whilst berberine sulfate trihydrate has been highlighted for its beneficial effect on bone metabolism.
Previous research has suggested that a phytonutrient-rich nutrition program including such ingredients may have a positive effect on biomarkers of bone turnover, including serum osteocalcin.
The new study, a 12-week nutraceutical intervention, tested the effects on bone health and bone turnover of a nutraceutical supplementation with a mixture of vitamins D3 and K1, with RIAAs, and berberine sulfate trihydrate.
Study details
“We hypothesized that a nutritional supplement containing anti-inflammatory phytochemicals and essential bone nutrients would produce a favourable bone biomarker profile in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome,” said Lamb and colleagues.
In the 14-week, randomized trial, 51 women were instructed to consume a modified Mediterranean-style, low-glycemic-load diet and to engage in aerobic exercise, explained Lamb.
Those in the intervention arm (25 people) additionally received 200 mg hop rho iso-alpha acids, 100 mg berberine sulfate trihydrate, 500 IU vitamin D3, and 500 μg vitamin K1 twice daily.
Compared with baseline, the intervention group were reported to have a 25 per cent decrease in serum osteocalcin (indicative of bone turnover) – whereas the placebo arm exhibited a 21 per cent increase.
“The between-arm differences for osteocalcin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were statistically significant … [In addition] serum insulin-like growth factor I was statistically increased in both arms,” noted Lamb and his co-workers.
Source: Nutrition Research
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2011.03.016
“Nutritional supplementation of hop rho iso-alpha acids, berberine, vitamin D3, and vitamin K1 produces a favorable bone biomarker profile supporting healthy bone metabolism in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome”
Authors: J.J. Lamb, M.F. Holick, R.H. Lerman, V.R. Konda, D.M. Minich, et al