Researchers tested whether a special cheese containing helpful bacteria called Lactobacillus acidophilus could protect bones in animals with chronic kidney disease. They fed some animals regular cheese and others the probiotic-enriched cheese for 6 weeks. While the study was well-designed and based on promising earlier research, the results showed the special cheese didn’t prevent bone loss or improve bone strength in kidney disease. This early-stage animal study suggests we need different approaches to protect bones in people with kidney problems, though human studies are still needed to confirm these findings.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating cheese enriched with beneficial bacteria (probiotics) could help prevent weak bones in animals with chronic kidney disease
  • Who participated: Laboratory rats divided into two groups: some with normal kidney function and some with kidney disease. Each group received either regular cheese or special probiotic-enriched cheese daily for 6 weeks
  • Key finding: The probiotic cheese did not prevent bone density loss or improve bone strength in rats with kidney disease, though kidney disease itself significantly weakened bones
  • What it means for you: This early research suggests that simply adding probiotics to cheese may not be enough to protect bones in people with kidney disease. More research is needed to find better solutions, and people with kidney disease should talk to their doctors about bone health rather than relying on probiotic cheese alone

The Research Details

This was an animal study using laboratory rats to test a new idea about protecting bones. The researchers created a model of chronic kidney disease by surgically reducing kidney function in some rats, while keeping others healthy as a comparison group. Both groups then ate either regular Minas Frescal cheese (a type of fresh cheese) or the same cheese enriched with Lactobacillus acidophilus La-05 probiotics for 6 weeks. The researchers measured bone density using specialized X-ray technology and tested how strong the bones were by applying pressure until they broke. This type of controlled animal study helps researchers test safety and basic effectiveness before moving to human trials.

Animal studies are important stepping stones in medical research because they allow scientists to test ideas in a controlled way before involving people. This study was based on solid reasoning: probiotics can change the bacteria in your gut, and a healthy gut may help your body absorb minerals better, which could strengthen bones. The gut-bone connection is an emerging area of research. However, animal studies don’t always translate directly to humans, so negative results in animals don’t mean the approach won’t work in people.

This study has several strengths: it was published in a peer-reviewed journal, used appropriate scientific methods to measure bone health, and included a control group for comparison. However, the study has limitations that readers should understand. The exact number of animals used wasn’t clearly specified in the abstract. The study lasted only 6 weeks, which is relatively short. Animal studies use different biology than humans, so results may not apply to people. The study tested only one specific probiotic strain in one type of cheese, so other probiotics or delivery methods weren’t tested.

What the Results Show

Chronic kidney disease significantly weakened bones in the rats. Specifically, bone density in the tibia (shin bone) dropped from 0.11 to 0.08 g/cm³, and in the femur (thigh bone) dropped from 0.16 to 0.14 g/cm³. These decreases were statistically significant, meaning they weren’t due to chance. However, when rats with kidney disease ate the probiotic-enriched cheese instead of regular cheese, their bone density didn’t improve. The bones remained weak despite the probiotic intervention. Additionally, rats with kidney disease that ate the probiotic cheese had slightly shorter femur bones compared to those eating regular cheese, which was an unexpected finding that suggests the probiotics may have had an unintended effect.

The study measured bone strength using a three-point bending test, which applies force to bones until they break. The results showed that probiotic supplementation did not improve the biomechanical properties of the bones, meaning the bones weren’t stronger or more flexible. This suggests the probiotics didn’t help bones function better mechanically, only that bone density wasn’t improved. The unexpected decrease in femur length in the probiotic group raises questions about whether the probiotics might have affected bone growth or development in ways researchers didn’t anticipate.

This research builds on earlier studies showing that probiotics can change gut bacteria composition and that gut health may influence bone metabolism through what scientists call the ‘gut-bone axis.’ Some previous research suggested probiotics might help with mineral absorption. However, this is the first study specifically testing this idea in the context of kidney disease-related bone loss. The negative results suggest that while the theory is interesting, simply adding one probiotic strain to cheese may not be enough to overcome the severe bone loss that occurs with kidney disease. This doesn’t rule out probiotics entirely but suggests more research is needed to find the right approach.

Several important limitations affect how we interpret these results. First, this was an animal study, and rat biology differs from human biology in important ways, so results may not apply to people. Second, the study was relatively short at 6 weeks; chronic kidney disease bone loss develops over months or years in humans. Third, only one probiotic strain and one cheese type were tested, so other probiotics or delivery methods might work differently. Fourth, the study didn’t measure whether the probiotics actually changed the gut bacteria or how much probiotic bacteria survived in the digestive system. Finally, the exact number of animals used wasn’t specified, making it harder to assess the study’s statistical power.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, probiotic-enriched cheese alone is not recommended as a treatment for bone loss in chronic kidney disease (low confidence level for this specific approach). However, this doesn’t mean probiotics are useless—it means this particular method didn’t work in this animal model. People with chronic kidney disease should work with their nephrologist (kidney specialist) on proven bone health strategies, which typically include adequate calcium and vitamin D, appropriate phosphorus control, and regular physical activity. Future research may identify better probiotic strains, doses, or delivery methods that could help.

This research is most relevant to people with chronic kidney disease and their doctors, as well as researchers studying probiotics and bone health. People with kidney disease should be especially interested because bone loss is a common and serious complication of their condition. However, this single negative animal study shouldn’t discourage people from eating cheese as part of a healthy diet—regular cheese has nutritional benefits. Healthy people without kidney disease don’t need to worry about this research affecting their bone health. Researchers studying the gut-bone connection should take note that the mechanism may be more complex than initially thought.

This is an animal study, so there’s no direct timeline for human benefits. If researchers pursue this line of investigation further, it would typically take 3-5 years of additional animal and laboratory studies before human trials could begin. If human trials eventually happen and show promise, it would take several more years to develop a treatment. For people with kidney disease needing bone protection now, proven approaches like calcium supplementation, vitamin D, and exercise offer more immediate benefits based on existing evidence.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily calcium and vitamin D intake (in milligrams and IU respectively) along with weekly weight-bearing exercise minutes. For people with kidney disease, also track phosphorus intake as recommended by their nephrologist. This provides a more comprehensive picture of bone health factors than probiotics alone.
  • Instead of relying on probiotic cheese, users should focus on proven bone health habits: eating calcium-rich foods (dairy, leafy greens, fortified products), getting adequate vitamin D (sunlight, supplements, fortified foods), and doing weight-bearing exercise like walking or strength training 3-4 times weekly. Users can log these activities in the app and set reminders for supplements if recommended by their doctor.
  • For long-term bone health tracking, users should monitor their exercise consistency, dietary calcium and vitamin D intake, and any symptoms of bone pain or weakness. They should schedule regular check-ins with their healthcare provider for bone density scans if they have kidney disease. The app can send quarterly reminders to review bone health progress and discuss results with their doctor rather than relying on dietary supplements alone.

This research describes an animal study and does not provide evidence that probiotic-enriched cheese prevents or treats bone loss in humans with chronic kidney disease. People with chronic kidney disease should not change their bone health treatment based on this study without consulting their nephrologist or healthcare provider. Bone loss in kidney disease is a serious medical condition requiring professional medical management. While probiotics are generally safe for most people, those with kidney disease should discuss any dietary supplements or significant dietary changes with their healthcare team, as kidney disease affects how the body processes nutrients. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice.