Hebrew SeniorLife’s Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research has launched an ambitious clinical trial to examine whether a combination of probiotics and prebiotics can improve bone health in women aged 60 and older. The trial, which involves a synbiotic formulation called BondiaÒ (SBD111), developed by Solarea Bio, seeks to explore its potential in managing age-related bone loss. The study has already begun enrolling participants, and researchers are now looking for additional women to join the 18-month investigation.
Dr. Shivani Sahni, PhD, principal investigator of the trial, is leading a team focused on understanding the underlying mechanisms contributing to age-related bone loss. Their research will explore how diet, inflammation, and the gut microbiome may influence bone health over time.
The trial, named Study to Attenuate Resorption of the Skeleton (STARS), is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical food study. The focus is on assessing the effects of a synbiotic—a blend of probiotic and prebiotic elements—on metabolic processes associated with age-related bone loss. If successful, the trial could demonstrate that natural products can effectively manage the metabolic pathways that lead to osteopenia and osteoporosis, conditions that affect millions of older adults.
“There are currently no consistent guidelines on how middle-aged and older adults can maintain healthy bone mass as they age,” Dr. Sahni explained. “As a result, roughly 10 million Americans aged 50 and older are living with osteoporosis, leading to 1.5 million fractures each year. These fractures cost an estimated $17 billion annually. This highlights the urgent need for safe, effective dietary interventions to address the metabolic causes of bone loss.”
The study is being funded by the National Institute on Aging, with additional support from several prestigious institutions, including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Maine Medical Center, Tufts University, and Solarea Bio.
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