Effect of Dried Plum on Bone and Markers of Bone Status in Men

Exclusion Criteria

• •endocrine (e.g., prednisone, other glucocorticoids) or neuroactive (e.g., dilantin, phenobarbital) drugs or any drugs known to influence bone and calcium metabolism
• •Men whose BMD t-score at any site falls below 2.5 SD of the mean will be excluded from the study and referred to their primary care physician
• •subjects treated with calcitonin, bisphosphonates, raloxifene, sodium fluoride, anabolic agents, e.g. PTH and growth hormone, or steroids for less than 3 months prior to the start of the study will be excluded.
• •body mass index (BMI) \<18 and \>30 will be excluded to avoid extremes in leanness/adiposity and to readily allow body composition assessment.
• •If subjects smoke 20 cigarettes or more per day, they will be excluded.
• •Men who regularly consume dried plum or prune juice will not be accepted into the study.