Calcium-Rich Whey Permeate Helps Maintain Bone Density After Menopause - Study

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- Twice-daily supplements of calcium-rich whey permeate helped maintain bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, according to a 12-month clinical study that tested products from dairy company Arla Foods Ingredients.

The study is part of the RENEW project, a research collaboration investigating how calcium-rich permeate, a by-product of whey production, could be used as a food ingredient to counter bone loss in postmenopausal women.

Declining oestrogen levels during menopause can speed up bone loss and increase the risk of osteoporosis.

A total of 316 women completed the study, which used Arla Foods Ingredients’ Capolac, a calcium-rich milk-based ingredient, and Variolac, a lactose-based ingredient.

“Approximately one in five older adults globally has osteoporosis. It is especially common among postmenopausal women and across Asia, highlighting the need for effective nutritional strategies and the potential of calcium-rich whey permeate to support bone health.

“Affordable calcium-rich milk-based ingredients could help address calcium deficiency, particularly in developing countries, and support food solutions targeting multiple nutritional deficiencies,” said Arla Foods Ingredients Nutrition Scientist, Simon Bøge Riis in a statement.

Participants received either a placebo or 800 milligrams (mg) of calcium a day, split into two doses, from calcium carbonate or calcium-rich whey permeate, with or without inulin. All participants also received vitamin D.

After 12 months, bone mineral density was maintained in women receiving calcium-rich whey permeate (78 participants), while it fell in the placebo group (75 participants). Blood markers showed bone loss had slowed noticeably by the third month, and adding inulin provided no additional benefit.

The company is developing a high-calcium dried fruit bar providing 265mg of calcium per 10g serving, which can be adapted to regional flavours and uses ingredients that help reduce fruit waste, it said.

-- BERNAMA