Inulin and oligofructose as functional ingredients to improve bone mineralization

Studies in animal models have shown increased calcium availability with inulin and oligofructose in the diet. This possibly beneficial effect of inulin-type fructans on the delay of osteoporosis was further evaluated in rats and it was found that accumulation of bone mineral and formation of improved trabecular network structure were indeed stimulated. In ovari-ectomized rats, oligoftuctose increased bone mineral content (BMC) and impeded ovari-ectomy induced loss of bone structure. These findings support the hypotheses that inulin and oligofructose might influence peak bone mass during adolescence in humans. Studies in girls with a high habitual calcium intake showed increased calcium absorption after supplementation of an oligoftuctose-enriched inulin (8 g d(-1)) in the diet. This effect was highest in girls showing a habitual low degree of calcium absorption. Recently, a 1 y intervention trial on pre-pubertal girls and boys (n = 100) found significantly increased calcium absorption in the group receiving oligoftuctose-enriched inulin (8 g d(-1)) after 8 wks and the effect lasted during the whole intervention period, resulting in improved BMC and significantly increased bone mineral density compared to the controls. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.