Blackcurrant Modifies Gut Microbiota and Reduces the Risk of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial
The UConn Department of Nutritional Sciences is seeking participants for a research study to determine the effects of blackcurrant consumption on changes in gut microbiome and bone mass in adult women at risk of bone loss.
The study center is located on the Storrs campus. You will be required to visit the study center 4 times.
To be eligible to participate:
• Female, age 45-60 years old
• Be classified as perimenopausal (defined as at least one menses in the last 12 months, or had hysterectomy or endometrial ablation without bilateral oophorectomy before age 55, or no more than 5 years since had the final menstrual cycle)
• Willing to ingest a blackcurrant supplement or placebo as well as 400 mg calcium and 500 IU vitamin D daily for 6 months
• No cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, liver or kidney disease
• Not on hormone replacement therapy for at least one year
• Not heavy smokers (>20 cigarettes/day) or heavy drinkers (>2 drinks/day)
• Not taking prescription medications altering bone and Ca metabolism
• Willing to avoid other dietary supplements and foods extremely rich in anthocyanins and fermented dairy products for the duration of the study
• Willing to have 3 blood draws, 3 stool collections, and 2 bone scans
Benefits of participation:
• Free bone density scan results and diet analysis report
• Participants will receive up to $180 for completing the study.
If you are interested in participating, please contact: Jun Sakaki, Graduate Assistant (junichi.sakaki@uconn.edu) or Ock K. Chun, Principal Investigator (ock.chun@uconn.edu)
UConn IRB Protocol H20-0035 Approved July 15, 2021.
For more information, contact: Jun Sakaki at junichi.sakaki@uconn.edu