Nutraceutical Supplementation Based on Colostrum as Osteoporosis Treatment: A Pilot Study

Introduction: Naturally based treatments for osteoporosis are currently limited. The purpose of this investigation was to ascertain whether bovine colostrum supplementation can improve bone health in humans. Methods: In total 63 individuals volunteered in a 4-month supplementation project. They were stratified into three groups: 1) healthy post-menopausal women (n = 24); 2) individuals with osteopenia (n = 25); 3) people with osteoporosis (n = 14). Participants of each group were randomly assigned into two experimental sub-groups: a) the bovine colostrum (BC) supplementation (200 mL/day; 5 days/week); b) the placebo sub-group. Before and after the 4-month supplementation, blood samples were obtained and bone mineral density (BMD) was measured. Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) was performed on three different anatomical sites: lumbar spine (LS), left femur neck (FN), and left forearm (Arm). Bone health markers (bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin, C-terminal telopeptide (CTX-I), deoxypyridinoline (DPD)) as well as immunological markers (interleukin 6 (IL6) and immunoglobulin E (IgE)), were assessed in blood serum with enzyme immunoassays, at baseline and 4-months after BC supplementation. Results: No significant changes were found in bone densitometry factors (p > 0.05), for all studied blood parameters and their calculated effect sizes. Conclusions: It is concluded that, as studied herein, BC does not seem to affect human bone health. This pilot study though warrant the need for further research into the efficacy of BC in patients with osteoporosis

Uremic Versus Idiopathic Restless Legs Syndrome: Impact on Aspects Related to Quality of Life

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) affects both the general population and patients with chronic renal failure. Even though it has been suggested that all forms of RLS share a common pathophysi-ology, not much evidence exists on how RLS of different etiology could affect aspects related to quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with uremic RLS (uRLS) experience lower QoL, mental health, and sleep quality, compared with their idiopathic RLS (iRLS) counterparts. Fifteen iRLS patients, 26 uRLS patients, and 15 age-matched healthy individuals participated in the study. The RLS diagnosis and severity, the depression levels, the perception of sleep, and perceived health-related QoL levels were assessed through validated questionnaires. Sleep status was not different between the two RLS groups. In contrast, the uRLS patients scored higher in RLS symptoms severity, depression, while they scored lower in QoL levels compared with iRLS patients. QoL levels were significantly lower in both RLS groups compared with healthy individuals. In conclusion, the uRLS patients experienced lower QoL levels and more severe RLS symptoms, compared with the idiopathic group, possibly leading to the observed higher depression symptoms score. ASAIO Journal 2012;58:607-611