Blackcurrants Mitigate Postmenopausal Bone Loss Through Gut Microbiota-Bone Axis: A Randomized Clinical Trial Coupled With a Multi-Omics Approach to Inform Precision Nutrition
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effects of blackcurrant (BC) supplementation on changes in bone density and gut microbiome composition in postmenopausal females.
• postmenopausal (defined as no more than 10 years since final menstrual cycle) females aged 45-70 years
• not on hormone replacement therapy for at least one year before initiation of the study
• maintaining normal exercise level (\< 7 hours/week) and willing to avoid exercise for 24 hours prior to blood and stool sampling
• willing to ingest a dietary blackcurrant supplement or placebo (up to 1,176 mg/day, three 392mg capsules)
• willing to avoid other dietary supplements for the duration of the study
• willing to avoid intake of foods extremely rich in anthocyanins and fermented dairy products containing viable Bifidobacteria or Lactobacilli
• willing to have three blood draws, three stool collections, and three bone scans