(P23-051-23) Nine Months of Pulse Supplementation Improves Bone Health Without Affecting Blood Lipids in Postmenopausal Women

Objectives: Menopause is associated with many physiological changes including increase risk for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Data regarding the use of pulse crops in alleviating health risks associated with menopause including their effects on bone are limited. This study investigated the effects of 9 m of pulse supplementation on bone health and lipid profile of postmenopausal women.

Methods: Twenty-three postmenopausal (≥1 year without menstruation) women, ages 45-70 years old, who were not on hormone replacement therapy, pro- and prebiotics, antibiotics, multiple supplements, or osteoporosis and lipid-lowering medications, smoking, and excessive alcohol use qualified and participated in the study. Participants were asked to consume 100 g of pulses (~ ½ cup and alternating between chickpeas, kidney beans, pinto beans, black-eyed peas, and lentils) daily for 9 m, and to maintain their normal diet and lifestyle. Assessments include serum lipids and whole-body composition as well as hip and lumbar bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and at the end of 9 m supplementation. Paired t-test was used to compare the effects of treatment before and after pulse supplementation and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: There were no significant differences in blood lipids, body weight, % fat mass, or % lean mass at the end of the 9 m supplementation compared to baseline. A significant increase in whole body BMC (P = 0.0064) and a tendency to increase whole body BMD (P = 0.0599) was observed after 9 m of pulse supplementation. Moreover, supplementing the diet with pulses resulted in a significant increase in lumbar spine BMC (P = 0.0497) and a tendency to increase lumbar BMD (P = 0.0941) compared to baseline. No changes in BMC and BMD of the hip or its subregions were observed.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that 9 m of pulse supplementation can improve bone health, especially within the spine of postmenopausal women. This population of women who is at increased risk for osteoporosis may benefit from regularly consuming pulses.

Funding Sources: USDA Pulse Crop Health Initiative and the Jim and Lynne Williams Professorship