Black Cohosh is Discredited as Good Osteoporosis Treatment for Postmenopausal Women

A New one-year study in 128 postmenopausal women failed to show that black cohosh positively affects bone density results. Regular exercise, however, was reaffirmed as a good bone loss preventive in women who are postmenopausal.

Claims of Black Cohosh Benefit on Bone Density in Postmenopausal Women

Though they recommended further clinical research studies, according to University of Maryland Medical Center, black cohosh has estrogen-like effects that may benefit bone density.

An online search for the phrase "buy black cohosh for osteoporosis" turns up many online herbal supplement sellers claiming that black cohosh is beneficial in treating bone loss.

A 12-week clinical research study in 62 postmenopausal women concluded that black cohosh improves parameters (bone turnover markers, bone metabolism, and bone remodeling) that should benefit bone density.

Findings in New Study

A new study reported by Reuter's Health is the first to evaluate how black cohosh affects bone density results.

Some study participants were assigned regular exercise and some did not get regular exercise. Half of the regular-exercise group took 40 mg of black cohosh daily.

Study participants who got regular exercise showed the same bone density results whether they took black cohosh or not. Regular exercise, with or without black cohosh supplementation, maintained spine pre-study bone density and caused a slight increase in hip bone density (.5%). The non-exercising group showed an average 2% spinal bone loss and a .6% hip bone loss.

Conclusions of Researchers

Researchers concluded that exercise clearly has positive effects as an osteoporosis treatment for postmenopausal women and that any benefit to bone density with black cohosh remains questionable.

Summary

Regular exercise clearly offers bone density benefits in postmenopausal women. Black cohosh probably does not improve osteoporosis. However, I could not find any clinical research studies evaluating bone density results in non-exercising postmenopausal women supplemented with black cohosh. Why didn't they give half of the study participants who did not get regular exercise black cohosh supplements? A subsequent evaluation of bone loss in those study participants would seem to offer an additional way to confirm their results.

Sources:

Amy Norton. Herb shows no added benefits for women's bones. MedlinePlus.
No author given. Black Cohosh. University of Maryland Medical Center.
Benjamin Kligler. Black Cohosh. American Family Physician.
Wuttke, W., Gorkow, C., Seidlova-Wuttke, D. Effects of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) on bone turnover, vaginal mucosa, and various blood parameters in postmenopausal women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, and conjugated estrogens-controlled study. PubMed.