The Effect of Chicory Fructan Fiber on Calcium Absorption and Bone Metabolism in Korean Postmenopausal Women

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chicory fructan fiber supplementation on bone mineral density, apparent absorption of minerals and serum parameters related to bone turnover in postmenopausal women. Twenty-six healthy Korean postmenopausal women participated in the study. 1be participants were randomly divided into two groups in a double-blind parallel design and took one of the supplements for 3 months; either a placebo of 8g maltodextrins/sucrose mixture (control group) or 8g chicory fructan fiber (fructan group). During the 3-month experimental period no differences were found in bone mineral density (BMD) between the two groups. Apparent calcium absorption significantly increased by 42% in the fructan group, while that of the control group decreased by 29% as compared to the values at baseline. Urinary calcium excretion was not significantly different between the group;;. After 3 months, the level of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was significantly lower in the fructan group than in the control group and deoxypyridinolin showed a trend toward a slight reduction. In conclusion, intake of chicory fructan fiber with a regular increases apparent calcium absorption in postmenopausal women.