Millions of women are suffering from pain and frequent fractures due to bone weakness after menopause. New research from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has raised hopes for an effective treatment. According to the research, calcium or vitamin D deficiency is not the sole cause of this disease; an imbalance in the gut, immune system, and bones also plays a significant role. The AIIMS research has paved the way for the development of targeted drugs.

Understanding the Root Cause of the Disease
After menopause, hormonal changes affect the beneficial bacteria in the gut and the immune system. This leads to increased activity of bone-resorbing cells (osteoclasts), causing a rapid decrease in bone density.

Research Offers Hope
The AIIMS research developed a model of post-menopausal osteoporosis and studied it in mice. A safe probiotic bacterium, 'Bacillus coagulans', was used in the study. The research found a reduction in gut inflammation and a significant improvement in bone density. Based on these positive results in mice, preparations are now underway for clinical trials in humans.

Bone Degradation Can Be Reduced
Bacillus coagulans increases the levels of short-chain fatty acids, especially butyrate, produced in the gut. This element controls inflammation and slows down bone degradation. This principle will form the basis of the new drug.

Expert Opinion
Dr. JB Sharma (Former Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AIIMS, Delhi) explains that osteoporosis is a silent disease in women after menopause. By the time a fracture occurs, it is often too late. If a drug is developed that targets the gut and immune system, it could bring about a major change in treatment methods.

Dr. Rupesh Srivastava (Department of Biotechnology, AIIMS, New Delhi) explains that the study clearly shows that postmenopausal osteoporosis is not simply a disease caused by calcium deficiency. It arises from an imbalance between the gut, the immune system, and the bones. The positive results obtained in mice will lay a strong foundation for the development of a targeted drug in the future.

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