Osteoporosis is a major health problem in postmenopausal women. Our long-term goal is to
develop a new alternative treatment that include a dietary supplement (green tea extract) and
a mind-body exercise (Tai Chi) for lessening bone loss in postmenopausal women with low bone
mass. A combination of dietary supplement and moderate intensity exercise now becomes a new
alternative treatment in reducing bone loss in postmenopausal women with low bone mass, due
to the possible stronger effects of the combination than individual treatments. Objective: To
test a CAM intervention including green tea polyphenol (GTP) and Tai Chi (TC) exercise for
feasibility, and to quantitatively assess their individual and conjugate effects on
postmenopausal women with osteopenia. Hypotheses: (1) 24 weeks of GTP supplement, TC
exercise, and their combination will benefit bone remodeling as measured by bone biomarkers
and muscle strength/physical function in postmenopausal women with osteopenia compared to
those receiving placebo only, and (2) the changes in bone biomarkers associated with bone
remodeling will be correlated with the changes in oxidative stress.
Phase:
Phase 1/Phase 2
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Collaborator:
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)