Resveratrol Combo Boosts Bone Health in Menopause - Trial

clinical-trial PMID: 37569440

Quick Summary: A study found that a combination of resveratrol and equol (delivered via fermented soy) improved certain bone health markers in postmenopausal women. However, it didn't change overall bone density.

What The Research Found

A 12-month study showed that a daily supplement containing both resveratrol and equol improved bone turnover biomarkers. These are substances in your blood and urine that show how quickly your bones are breaking down and rebuilding. The combination helped improve markers of bone formation and breakdown. However, the study didn't find any change in overall bone density.

Study Details

Who was studied: 60 healthy women who had gone through menopause.

How long: 12 months (1 year).

What they took: A daily supplement containing 25mg of resveratrol and 10mg of equol (delivered via fermented soy).

What This Means For You

This study suggests that the specific combination of resveratrol and equol might help with bone health in postmenopausal women. It's important to note that this study used a combination of ingredients, not just resveratrol. Also, it didn't show an increase in bone density, which is the most important factor for bone health.

Study Limitations

The study was small, involving only 60 women.

The study used a combination of ingredients, so we don't know if resveratrol alone would have the same effect.

The study lasted only a year, which might not be long enough to see big changes in bone density.

The study didn't look at whether the supplement reduced the risk of bone fractures.

Key Findings

The 12-month clinical trial demonstrated that a combination of 10 mg equol and 25 mg resveratrol (delivered via fermented soy) significantly improved key bone turnover biomarkers in postmenopausal women compared to placebo. Specifically, urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD), serum osteocalcin, and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) levels showed statistically significant improvements in the active treatment group. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) and whole-body bone mineral density (BMD) did not show significant changes. The results suggest the equol-resveratrol combination positively modulates bone formation and resorption markers, though it did not alter overall BMD within the study period.

Study Design

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted over 12 months. Sixty healthy postmenopausal women (mean age not specified in provided summary, but typical for such trials) were randomly assigned to either the active treatment group (n=30) or placebo group (n=30). Participants were assessed at baseline and after 12 months of daily intervention. Primary outcomes measured were whole-body BMD and serum/urinary bone turnover biomarkers (DPD, TRACP-5b, osteocalcin, BAP).

Dosage & Administration

Participants in the active group received a daily oral dose of 200 mg fermented soy extract, standardized to deliver 10 mg of equol and 25 mg of resveratrol. The placebo group received an identical-appearing inert substance. Administration was daily for the full 12-month duration.

Results & Efficacy

The active group exhibited statistically significant improvements in three biomarkers: DPD (urinary marker of bone resorption), osteocalcin (serum marker of bone formation), and BAP (serum marker of bone formation), with p-values <0.05 indicating significance. The summary states these markers "significantly improved" but does not provide exact numerical changes, effect sizes, or confidence intervals. TRACP-5b (another resorption marker) and whole-body BMD showed no significant differences between groups after 12 months (p>0.05). The study concluded the combination favorably altered bone turnover dynamics.

Limitations

Key limitations include the small sample size (n=60 total), which reduces statistical power and generalizability. The study tested a specific equol-resveratrol combination within fermented soy, making it impossible to isolate the individual effects of resveratrol alone. The 12-month duration may be insufficient to detect clinically meaningful changes in BMD, which typically requires longer observation. The absence of data on fracture risk—a critical clinical endpoint for bone health—is a major gap. Demographic details (e.g., age range, years since menopause) were not provided in the summary, limiting context.

Clinical Relevance

This study provides preliminary evidence that a daily supplement containing 25 mg resveratrol combined with 10 mg equol may beneficially influence bone metabolism biomarkers in postmenopausal women. However, the lack of BMD improvement and absence of fracture data mean this does not support resveratrol (alone or in combo) as a current osteoporosis treatment. Users should note the results apply only to this specific combination product, not isolated resveratrol supplements. The findings warrant larger, longer trials focusing on BMD changes and fracture outcomes before clinical recommendations can be made. Postmenopausal women seeking bone health support should prioritize established interventions (e.g., calcium, vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise, prescribed medications) over this specific combo based on current evidence.