CompletedInterventional

Propionate and bone health

Broken bones, especially from a condition called osteoporosis, are a big problem in the UK, particularly for women after menopause. This study is testing a new food supplement called inulin-propionate ester (IPE). We want to find out if taking 10 grams of IPE every day for 8 weeks can make bones stronger and help prevent fractures in women aged 50 to 75 who have gone through menopause. Participants will attend visits at Hammersmith Hospital for health checks, blood tests, and to provide samples. There might be benefits like learning more about your health, but also small risks like discomfort from blood tests or mild tummy upset from the supplement. The study is run by Imperial College London.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

Imperial College London

Enrolment target

Start

01 Jun 2025

Estimated completion

31 May 2026

Prevention of osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women

What is this study about?

Many women in the UK, especially after menopause, are at a higher risk of breaking bones due to a condition called osteoporosis. This can have a big impact on their lives. Researchers are always looking for new ways to keep bones strong and prevent these painful fractures.

This particular study is focusing on a new daily food supplement called inulin-propionate ester, or IPE for short. The idea is to see if this supplement can help improve the health of your bones. We want to find out if taking IPE regularly can make your bones less likely to break. We hope this could eventually lead to a new way to protect against osteoporosis.

The study involves women who have gone through menopause, as they are a group particularly affected by bone weakening. If this supplement proves helpful, it could offer a simple, dietary way to support bone health and reduce the risk of fractures for many women.

Key takeaways

This study investigates a new food supplement (IPE) for bone health.
It focuses on postmenopausal women, who are at higher risk of broken bones.
Participation involves 4 hospital visits and taking a daily supplement for 8 weeks.
The study aims to understand if IPE can help prevent broken bones.
Potential benefits include health insights, but minor side effects are possible.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for healthy women who are between 50 and 75 years old and have been through menopause for at least five years. You should have a healthy body weight. You also shouldn't have diabetes.

There are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if your weight has changed a lot recently, if you smoke, drink a lot of alcohol, or use illegal drugs. You also can't take part if you have certain health problems like heart disease, cancer, kidney disease, pancreatitis, or gut problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Additionally, if you are taking certain medications that could affect your energy, appetite, or hormones (like some anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, or thyroid hormones), you might not be able to join. The researchers need to make sure the study results are clear and not affected by other health conditions or medicines.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a woman aged between 50 and 75?
Have you been through menopause for at least 5 years?
Do you have a healthy body weight?
Do you have good overall health, without serious heart, kidney, or gut conditions?
Are you a non-smoker and do not drink excessive alcohol?
Are you currently not taking medications that could interfere with the study?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll need to visit a research centre at Hammersmith Hospital in London four times. These visits will include checks on your general health, blood and urine tests, and discussions about what you usually eat. For 8 weeks, you will take either the IPE supplement or a control supplement every day, which will be mixed into your usual diet. Throughout these 8 weeks, you will also be asked to provide some blood and stool samples regularly so the researchers can check your health markers. The study aims to run from November 2021 to December 2026, and your personal participation will be for 8 weeks plus the initial and follow-up visits.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer some benefits, such as learning more about your own health through the tests and assessments. However, there are also some potential risks to consider. You might experience mild discomfort from blood tests, and the supplement could cause side effects like bloating or wind. Any important health information discovered during the study will be shared with you and your doctor. Remember, you can decide to stop participating in the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

NIHR Imperial Clinical Research Facility
City only
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is IPE?

IPE stands for inulin-propionate ester, and it's a new type of food supplement being tested to see if it can help with bone health.

What is menopause?

Menopause is when a woman's periods stop permanently, usually around age 45-55, and it can affect bone strength.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become weak and break more easily.

Where is the study taking place?

The study is being run from the NIHR Imperial Clinical Research Facility at Hammersmith Hospital in London.

Will I know if I'm taking the real supplement or the control?

No, you won't know whether you're taking the IPE supplement or a control (which won't contain the active ingredient). This is standard practice in research to make the results more reliable.

How to find out more

Edward Chambers

e.chambers@imperial.ac.uk +44 20 3313 8070 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.