If you wish to protect yourself from wrath of osteoporosis, drink a glass of red wine, eat a handful of peanuts or simply enjoy a chocolate.
A natural compound called resveratrol that can be found in red wine and grapes, mulberries, cocoa powder and peanuts contains anti-inflammatory properties which can protect bone loss in mice and rats.
Recently, Danish researchers showed that plant compound, which is a type of natural phenol, can help in increasing the spinal bone density in men suffering from metabolic syndrome, which can be associated with low-grade inflammation that can lead to bone loss.
The metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors, like obesity or high blood pressure that can increase the risk of developing heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Dr Marie Juul Ørnstrup, MD, from Aarhus University Hospital said 'our study is the first to reveal resveratrol’s potential as an anti-osteoporosis drug in humans.
'Our findings suggest the compound stimulates bone-forming cells within the body.'
The study that was published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism analyzed the bone mineral density and sign of bone formation and resorption in 66 middle-aged men suffering from metabolic syndrome.
These men either took a 500-milligram dose of resveratrol, a 75-milligram dose of compound or a placebo twice a day for over 16-weeks.
Men who had higher dose of resveratrol had 2.6 percent increase in lumbar spine volumetric bone mineral density compared to men who had taken placebo.
Dr Ørnstrup said 'in just four months on high-dose resveratrol, we saw significant improvements in bone mineral density at the spine and elevated levels of the bone formation marker BAP.
'These are encouraging results. Additional research is needed to assess whether these bone protective effects occur in populations at risk of osteoporosis during the course of long-term treatment.'
Disclaimer