Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
08:56
Estrogen-Like Effect of Bazi Bushen Capsule in Ovariectomized Rats
Published on: April 7, 2023
Low-dose fluoride in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial
Andrew Grey1, Sanjay Garg, Michael Dray
1University of Auckland, Department of Medicine, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand. a.grey@auckland.ac.nz
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|April 5, 2013
Summary
Low-dose fluoride did not significantly increase bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with osteopenia. This study suggests low-dose fluoride is unlikely to be an effective osteoporosis therapy.
Area of Science:
- Bone biology and osteoporosis research.
- Pharmacological effects on skeletal health.
Background:
- High-dose fluoride trials show increased bone formation and bone mineral density (BMD) but impaired mineralization and uncertain fracture risk.
- Previous meta-analyses suggest low fluoride doses (<20 mg) may reduce fracture risk, but anabolic safety is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the skeletal effects of low-dose fluoride in postmenopausal women with osteopenia.
Main Methods:
- A 1-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial involving 180 postmenopausal women with osteopenia.
- Participants received daily placebo, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg of fluoride.
- Primary endpoint: change in lumbar spine BMD; secondary endpoints: hip/forearm BMD, bone turnover markers, and bone biopsy safety assessment.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in BMD at any site were observed between fluoride groups and placebo.
- A significant increase in the bone formation marker procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide was noted in the 5 mg and 10 mg fluoride groups.
- No significant differences in the bone resorption marker β-C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen were found.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose fluoride does not substantially impact surrogates of skeletal health in this population.
- Low-dose fluoride is unlikely to be an effective therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Study Designs in Epidemiology
Epidemiological study designs are fundamental tools for investigating the distribution, determinants, and control of health conditions in populations. They help researchers understand the relationships between exposures and outcomes, and they broadly fall into two categories: "observational" and "experimental" studies.
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies.
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies.
02:59Cancer Prevention
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
01:28Menopause
Menopause, a natural biological process marking the end of a woman's fertility, typically occurs between the fifth and sixth decade of life. This phase is characterized by the exhaustion of the ovarian follicle pool, leading to less responsive ovaries despite the high levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). The consequential decrease in estrogen production results in symptoms like hot flashes, heavy sweating, headaches, hair loss, muscle pains, vaginal...