Healthy Postmenopausal Women Needed for a 12 month Bone Health Study

The purpose of the dried plum study to is to determine if daily consumption of dried plums can prevent bone loss in post-menopausal women with low bone mass.  This is a one year, randomized control trial.  That is, participants will be randomized to a group and instructed to consume a certain amount of dried plums each day for 12 months or will be asked to refrain from consuming dried plums for 12 months.  Throughout the study, participants will be asked to partake in a series of procedures, including blood, urine, and fecal sampling to assess various hormones and chemicals in the body, measurements of bone mineral density, and the completion of logs and questionnaires.  Participants are compensated for their time.

Penn State IRB Approval Number: 
Study 00004252

Participant Inclusion Criteria

Gender criteria: 
Female
Starting Age in Years: 
55
Ending Age in Years: 
75
Additional Inclusion Criteria: 

Post-menopausal

In generally good health

Non-smoking

Not currently taking osteoporosis medication

Not currently taking hormone therapy

In addition to the criteria above, there are further criteria that may disqualify a woman from participation.

Will compensation be provided?: 
Yes
Compensation amount:: 
$350.00, free calcium/vitamin D supplements as required during the study, and possibly free dried plums depending on randomization

Study Dates, Times and Location

Location of Study: 
Noll Laboratory
By Appointment?: 
No
Approx Study Length: 
1
year(s)
Study Length Details: 
Participants will participate in a 1 week screening period, 1 week baseline period, and a 52 week intervention period. Participants will need to visit the lab multiple times during the screening and baseline weeks. During the intervention participants will visit the lab 1-2 times every 4 weeks.

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Heather Allaway
Contact Email: 
driedplum@psu.edu
Website for research study: 
http://sites.psu.edu/womenshealthandexerciselab
Contact Phone Number: 
814-863-4488