Effect of Dried Plum on Bone and Markers of Bone Status in Men

To test the bone protective properties of dried plum, 66 men (50 to 79 years of age) will receive either 100 g dried plum/day or a control regimen for 12 months. Both groups will receive 500 mg calcium and 400 IU vitamin D daily.

Evaluation will be based on analyses of bone mineral density at baseline, 6 and 12-months and serum and urine markers of bone formation and resorption at baseline and 3, 6, and 12-months.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy men (50-79 year-old)

Exclusion criteria

• endocrine (e.g., prednisone, other glucocorticoids) or neuroactive (e.g., dilantin, phenobarbital) drugs or any drugs known to influence bone and calcium metabolism
• Men whose BMD t-score at any site falls below 2.5 SD of the mean will be excluded from the study and referred to their primary care physician
• subjects treated with calcitonin, bisphosphonates, raloxifene, sodium fluoride, anabolic agents, e.g. PTH and growth hormone, or steroids for less than 3 months prior to the start of the study will be excluded.
• body mass index (BMI) <18 and >30 will be excluded to avoid extremes in leanness/adiposity and to readily allow body composition assessment.
• If subjects smoke 20 cigarettes or more per day, they will be excluded.
• Men who regularly consume dried plum or prune juice will not be accepted into the study.