20-2 |
Novel application of zoonutrients in bone health research |
H. GREEN, Nestle Research Centre, Lausanne 26, 1000, Switzerland Traditionally, research on nutritional approaches towards enhancing bone status has focused on calcium and other micronutrients involved in bone metabolism. Research in the bone and nutrition field is now focussed on identifying fractions of milk or specific milk protein components that promote bone health either by improving uptake and bioavailability of calcium or by acting directly on bone cells to promote bone formation or inhibit bone resorption. Milk, in addition to being an excellent source of bioavailable calcium, is a rich source of potential bone-modulating factors such as calcium chelators, hormones, growth factors, protease inhibitors, etc. Indeed, many of the proteins known to play a role in bone remodeling, such as osteopontin and lactadherin are present in milk. As a first approach to nutrition and bone health, we optimized the source of calcium, resulting in the development of a milk-derived, amorphous calcium named "Calci-N" which was clinically proven to improve bone mineral density in young girls. We have further shown that a whey protein fraction, rich in caseinoglycomacropeptide (CGMP) chelates Ca and, in two animal models (young and old rats) was able to improve Ca balance and protect against bone loss. More recently, milk fractions or pure components have been investigated for their antiresorptive properties using bone cell models. For example, we observed that lactoferrin, a major component of milk which is well-known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, influences osteoclast formation and lacunar resorption. In conclusion, milk proteins have a potential to modulate bone remodeling, as demonstrated until now by tissue culture and animal experiments. Future nutrition research efforts should focus on demonstrating functional benefits in humans while product research should explore cost-effective ways to isolate these components to make fortified fluid milk or other milk-based beverages.
Session 20, Applications and health benefits of zoonutrients for today's consumers
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