Exercise, Not Black Cohosh, Improves BMD

German researchers have reported exercise improved bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women, but black cohosh supplementation added no additional benefit to the exercise. Published online ahead of print in the journal Menopause, the report from the University of Erlangen scientists featured 128 postmenopausal womenrandomized to a bone-specific exercise program, training plus 40mg/d black cohosh, or a control program. researchers looked at BMD for several body sites and 10-year coronary heart diseae (CHD) risk, as well as secondary endpoints of body composition and menopause symptoms.

After 10 weeks, results revealed both groups undertaking high instensity, high-impact exercise showed improved lumba spine and femoral neck BMD comapred to the control group, but there was no statistical difference between those on just exercise and those on exercise plus black cohosh. The researchers concluded an exercise program dedicated to bone paramters favoraby improved bone healt, but black cohosh did not enhance this benefit.

Other results showed no statistically significant difference in CHD risk between the three groups. The researchers also noted both exercise groups experienced a reduction in menopause symtpoms and an increase in lean body mass, compared to control; again, black cohosh offered no additional benefit.