Milk basic protein promotes bone formation and suppresses bone resorption in healthy adult men

Milk contains several components effective for bone health. In the previous in vitro and in vivo studies, we have shown that milk whey protein, especi ally its basic protein fraction (milk basic protein [MBP]), promoted bone f ormation and suppressed bone resorption. This present study examines the ef fect of MBP on the biochemical markers of bone metabolism in healthy adult men. Experimental beverages containing MBP (300 mg of MBP a day) were given to 30 normal healthy adult men for 16 days. The serum osteocalcin concentr ation had increased significantly after 16 days of ingesting the experiment al beverage containing MBP. Urinary cross-linked N-teleopeptides of type-I collagen (NTx) excretion had decreased significantly after 16 days of inges ting MBP. The urinary NTx excretion was related to the serum osteocalcin co ncentration after 16 days of ingestion. These results suggest that MBP prom oted bone formation and suppressed bone resorption, while maintaining the b alance of bone remodeling.