Helge Einar Lundberg

Propionibacterium freudenreichii1, 4-dihydroxy-naphthoic acid and vitamin K₂ have positive effects on bone health. Jarlsberg cheese, containing these factors, has shown positive effects on bone turnover markers in premenopausal women. The present study shows positive reduction of osteoclastic activity in postmenopausal women and elderly men. This study legitimises further studies on prophylactic effect of Jarlsberg cheese on bone mass in the elderly.

Material and methods Study population: The study population consisted of postmenopausal women and men passed the age of 55 years. Persons with disturbed peroral uptake, serious liver or kidney dysfunction, milk product allergy, diabetes mellitus type 1 or verified cancer were excluded. Volunteers under systemic treatment with corticosteroids in the last 3 weeks or participating in another clinical trial in the last 6 weeks before the start of the study were not included.

Material and methods Population and sample The study population consisted of healthy Norwegian women (healthy volunteer (HV)) of premenopausal age. Pregnant women and women suffering from known gastrointestinal disorder, abnormal liver or kidney function, lactose intolerance or known milk product allergy, diabetes mellitus or verified cancer were excluded.