This study aims to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation on calcium status and bone densitometry in postmenopausal women in a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study.

This study has three steps; namely, 1st step is to prepare the diet supplementation of probiotics and placebo. 2nd step is to perform the randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. 3rd step is to analyze the effects of L. acidophilus UALa-01™ in postmenopausal women.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Women aged 45 to 70 years old with more than one year since last menstruation;
2. Body mass index (BMI): 27.0 kg/m2 to 34.9 kg/m2;
3. All female participants who accepted bone densitometry measurement

Exclusion Criteria:

1. The secondary form of obesity, the pharmacological treatment for obesity (in the three months before the study), history of bariatric surgery;
2. Other gastrointestinal disorders, especially: inflammatory bowel diseases, celiac disease, gastritis and duodenitis, pancreatic disorders, gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of irritable bowel syndrome;
3. Pharmacotherapy of lipid disorders or hypertension in the three months before enrollment
4. Clinically significant acute inflammatory process (elevated hsCRP)
5. Abnormal kidney function (GFR <60mL/min/1,73m2);
6. Participation in a body mass management study;
7. The use of drugs known to modify body mass or food intake;
8. Hormone replacement therapy;
9. History of following alternative diets (diets with the altered amount of macronutrients, vegan or vegetarian diets, high-fiber diet, a diet with high quantities of fermented food (>400 g/day), diet fortified with prebiotics- and probiotics-functional food, elimination diets, low-calorie diets) within three months before the study;
10. History of use of any dietary supplements, including calcium, in the three months before the study;
11. History of intake of antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics (and synbiotics) within three months before the study;
12. Type 2 diabetes - - requiring the introduction and/or change of pharmacological treatment in the 2 years before the trial or during intervention;
13. Dyslipidemia - requiring the introduction and/or change of pharmacological treatment in the 6 months before the trial or during intervention;
14. Hypertension - requiring the introduction and/or change of pharmacological treatment in the 6 months before the trial or during intervention;
15. Another chronic pharmacotherapy: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, proton pump inhibitors, anticoagulants, drugs causing metabolic alteration, e.g., SFAs (second-generation antipsychotics);
16. Diseases requiring nutritional requirement and chronic supplementation;
17. Alcohol (>20g/d), nicotine or drug abuse;
18. Mental disorders, including eating disorders;
19. Cancer, autoimmune diseases;
20. Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigators, would make participation not in the best interest of the subject, or could prevent, limit, or confound the efficacy of the study any diseases, disorders, and therapies, which may influence on final results of the study or pose a risk for subjects health.

Postmenopausal women aged 45-70 with a BMI of 27.0-34.9 kg/m² were recruited, meeting criteria of amenorrhea for 12+ months. Exclusions included diabetes, secondary obesity, GI diseases, recent dietary supplements, pharmacotherapy for lipid issues, smoking, alcohol/drug abuse, or recent antibiotic use. Of 64 eligible participants, 55 completed the 12-week intervention, randomized in a double-blind design to probiotic or placebo groups.

2 years

All adverse events were assessed based on ClinicalTrials.gov definitions. The study population consisted of postmenopausal women receiving either a placebo or a probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus UALa-01™) recognized as generally safe (GRAS). No Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) or deaths were reported during the 12-week intervention. The data presented reflect all collected and assessed adverse events, regardless of their relatedness to the intervention.