[Prevention of osteoporosis by foods and dietary supplements. Milk basic protein (MBP) increases bone mineral density in young adult women and perimenopausal women].

Milk has beneficial effects on bone health than other food sources. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that milk whey protein, especially its basic protein fraction (milk basic protein: MBP), contains components capable of promoting bone formation and inhibiting bone resorption. We tried to examine the effect of MBP on bone mineral density (BMD) and markers of bone metabolism in healthy young adult women and perimenopausal women. In the healthy young women study, we found that MBP increased BMD, by promoting bone formation and inhibiting bone resorption. In the healthy perimenopausal women study, we also found that MBP increased BMD, primarily by inhibiting bone resorption, while maintaining bone formation. Thus, bone remodeling balances become positive that leads to maintenance or increase of bone formation. MBP supplementation could be effective for bone health in a wide range of generation especially those who hate to drink milk.