Dairy Council

Research suggesting a positive link between the microbiota (micro–organisms in the intestine) and bone health is relatively recent. The results from preliminary studies on this topic were presented at the World Congress on Osteoporosis in Krakow on 21 April. They suggest that the microbiota may contribute to bone mass regulation.

Promising preliminary research
The congress gave Professor René Rizzoli from the University of Geneva the opportunity to discuss evidence on the relationship between the microbiota and bone health and to demonstrate:

“The innovative and particularly promising aspect of recent studies of the microbiota and bone health”. 

Relationships between the microbiota and bone at all stages of life: 

For growth 
A study demonstrated that young mice lacking in a microbiota had growth and bone development disorders. The length and thickness of the femur were reduced. However, if probiotics from the Lactobacillus family are given (Lactobacillus plantarum) to these animals, their growth becomes comparable to that of normal animals.

If this model were to be confirmed, this would provide particularly interesting perspectives for the treatment of malnutrition and bone growth disorders in malnourished children.

For bone loss
Just like the microbiota is modified in obesity, the microbiota is modified in osteoporosis. A pilot study conducted over 12 weeks in Chinese subjects showed that inulin and oligo–saccharides enrichment of dairy products potentiates the beneficial effect of milk on bone resorption.

These initial results suggest that intestinal bacteria anomalies may be involved in the weakening of bone. 

And the future?
New research will enhance the link between diet and health, it may provide a better understanding of an individual’s sensitivity to a dietary model or to a medical treatment, and may, one day, enable customised treatments to be offered, or even enable food to be used a vector for prevention or treatment. 

Probiotics in fermented dairy products (yogurt, fermented milk, cheese) are a good example of this, and are sources of natural, accessible and varied probiotics.

For a review on Microbiota and Bone Health please click here