Can probiotics decrease the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis in women?

Background

Menopause, the natural cessation of menstruation in women, increases the risk of osteoporosis—an illness characterized by bone fragility and fracture susceptibility due to decreased estrogen levels. Several studies have confirmed that probiotics ingestion can increase bone health, but some have reported inconclusive results. In this literature review, the latest findings, developments, and trends in probiotics supplementation in postmenopausal women were discussed.

Methods

Selected articles were first subjected to a bibliometric analysis and then a literature review. These studies were registered in the Scopus database between 2010 and 2022. For more recent developments in probiotics interventions in postmenopausal women, a literature search was conducted in the ClinicalTrials.gov database.

Results

There is growing evidence to suggest that Lactobacillus strain can have a beneficial effect on osteoporosis by improving calcium absorption and bone mineral density. Specifically, certain strains of probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, have been shown to increase the bioavailability of calcium by producing short-chain fatty acids that lower gut pH, making it easier for calcium to dissolve and be absorbed. In addition, probiotics can modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation, which is also beneficial for bone health.

Conclusions

These findings suggested probiotics as a promising therapeutic agent in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, showing a physiological interaction between bone metabolism, calcium absorption, gene expression, and gut microbiota composition. However, to determine the dose and safety of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, long-term clinical studies of their effects in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis are needed.