• Bone mineral density at the femoral neck region [ Time Frame: baseline, 6 and 12 months ]
  DXA scan will provide this parameter
• Bone mineral content at the L2-4 lumbar spine and femoral neck region [ Time Frame: baseline, 6 and 12 months ]
  DXA scan will provide this parameter
• T-score [ Time Frame: baseline, 6 and 12 months ]
  DXA scan will provide this parameter
• Fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) score [ Time Frame: baseline, 6 and 12 months ]
  FRAX score will be calculated an online tool (university of sheffield frax tool).
• Plasma bone biomarkers [ Time Frame: baseline, 6 and 12 months ]
  Change in plasma bone biomarkers will be measured.
• Plasma prenylflavonoids [ Time Frame: baseline, 6 and 12 months ]
  Change in plasma prenylflavonoids will be measured.
• Glucose homeostasis and lipid profile [ Time Frame: baseline, 6 and 12 months ]
  Change in plasma glucose, insulin and lipids will be measured.
• Quality of life evaluation [ Time Frame: baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months ]
  36-item short form (SF-36) will be performed to assess by quality of life.
• Gastrointestinal tolerance evaluation [ Time Frame: baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months ]
  Gastrointestinal tolerance of the product will be assessed by the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS).

• Bone mineral content (BMC) at the l2-4 lumbar spine region [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Participants will have a bone density DXA scan 7 days before randomisation and 7 days before their last visit 12 months later. These DXA results will provide this parameter.
• T-score at the L2-L4 lumbar spine region [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Participants will have a bone density DXA scan 7 days before randomisation and 7 days before their last visit 12 months later. These DXA results will provide this parameter.
• Bone mineral density at the femoral neck [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Participants will have a bone density DXA scan 7 days before randomisation and 7 days before their last visit 12 months later. These DXA results will provide this parameter.
• Bone mineral content at the femoral neck [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Participants will have a bone density DXA scan 7 days before randomisation and 7 days before their last visit 12 months later. These DXA results will provide this parameter.
• Fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) score [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  FRAX score will be calculated an online tool (university of sheffield frax tool). The current National Osteoporosis Foundation Guide recommends treating patients with FRAX 10-year risk scores of > or = 3% for hip fracture or > or = 20% for major osteoporotic fracture, to reduce their fracture risk.
• Lean Mass [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Participants will have a body composition DXA scan 7 days before randomisation and 7 days before their last visit 12 months later. These DXA results will provide lean mass value.
• Fat Mass [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Participants will have a body composition DXA scan 7 days before randomisation and 7 days before their last visit 12 months later. These DXA results will provide fat mass value.
• Percentage (%) Fat [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Participants will have a body composition DXA scan 7 days before randomisation and 7 days before their last visit 12 months later. These DXA results will provide % body fat.
• Visceral Fat [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Participants will have a body composition DXA scan 7 days before randomisation and 7 days before their last visit 12 months later. These DXA results will provide visceral fat.
• Total Bone Mineral Density (BMD) [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Participants will have a body composition DXA scan 7 days before randomisation and 7 days before their last visit 12 months later. These DXA results will provide bone mineral density.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) [ Time Frame: 12 months. ]
  Participants weight in kilograms and height in meters is collected every 3 months to report BMI in kg/m^2. Eligible BMI scores are > or = 18 and < or = 32.0 kg/m^2.
• Waist to hip ratio (WHR) [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Participants waist circumference in centimetres and hip circumference in centimetres is collected every 3 months to report WHR. WHR is recommended to be 0.8 or less for females and 1.0 or less for males.
• Collagen type 1 cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTx) [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Plasma samples will be completed every 6 months, the bone marker collagen type 1 cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTx) pg/mL will be completed on these samples.
• Osteocalcin [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Plasma samples will be completed every 6 months, the bone marker osteocalcin ng/mL will be completed on these samples.
• Procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP) [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Plasma samples will be completed every 6 months, the bone marker procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP) ng/mL will be completed on these samples.
• Undercarboxylated osteocalcin [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Plasma samples will be completed every 6 months, the bone marker undercarboxylated osteocalcin ng/mL will be completed on these samples.
• Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Plasma samples will be completed every 6 months, the bone marker bone-specific alkaline phosphatase ug/L will be completed on these samples.
• Sclerostin [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Plasma samples will be completed every 6 months, the bone marker sclerostin pmol/L will be completed on these samples.
• Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b (TRAP5b) [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Plasma samples will be completed every 6 months, the bone marker tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b (TRAP5b) units/L will be completed on these samples.
• Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase/TRAP5b ratio [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Plasma samples will be completed every 6 months, the bone marker bone-specific alkaline phosphatase/TRAP5b ratio ug/L will be completed on these samples.

• Vitamin D status [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Blood samples will be collected every 6 months. Vitamin (D 25 (OH)D nmol/L) analysis will be completed on these samples.
• Oestrogen level [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Blood samples will be collected every 6 months. Oestrogen (pg/mL) analysis will be completed on these samples.
• Plasma prenylflavonoids [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Blood samples will be collected every 6 months. Plasma prenylflavonoid (g/dL) analysis will be completed on these samples.
• 8-PN producer status [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Blood samples will be collected every 6 months. 8-PN producer (umol/L) analysis will be completed on these samples.
• Fasting blood glucose [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Blood samples will be collected every 6 months. Fasting blood glucose (mmol/L) analysis will be completed on these samples.
• Fasting insulinaemia [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Blood samples will be collected every 6 months. Fasting insulinaemia (U-100)analysis will be completed on these samples.
• Hba1c [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Blood samples will be collected every 6 months. Hba1c (mmol/mol) analysis will be completed on these samples.
• HOMA IR [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Blood samples will be collected every 6 months. HOMA IR (nmol/L) analysis will be completed on these samples.
• Insulin sensitivity index [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Blood samples will be collected every 6 months. Insulin sensitivity (mmol/L) analysis will be completed on these samples.
• Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Blood samples will be collected every 6 months. Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (mmol/L) analysis will be completed on these samples.
• Total cholesterol [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Blood samples will be collected every 6 months, total cholesterol mg/dL will be completed on these samples.
• HDL cholesterol [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Blood samples will be collected every 6 months, HDL cholesterol mmol/L will be completed on these samples
• LDL cholesterol [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Blood samples will be collected every 6 months, LDL cholesterol mmol/L will be completed on these samples.
• Triglycerides [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
  Blood samples will be completed every 6 months, Triglycerides mmol/L will be completed on these samples.

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by reduced bone mass and deterioration in bone architecture leading to an increased bone fragility and fracture risk. Postmenopausal women are a particularly at-risk population as the maintenance of bone homeostasis is influenced by estrogens. Recently, phytoestrogens have drawn attention as an interesting natural way to prevent oestrogen-deficient osteoporosis. Hops contain one of the most potent phytoestrogen known to date: 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN). Lifenol® is a polyphenolic powdered extract obtained by a patented process from the female hop flowers (Humulus lupulus L.), standardized in 8-PN content.

Therefore, the present clinical trial aims to determine whether long-term consumption of Lifenol® can reduce bone mineral density loss in postmenopausal women with osteopenia taking traditional recommended calcium and vitamin D supplementation (1000 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D per day).

100 postmenopausal women (>1 year post-menopause) will be enrolled to consume during 12 months either Lifenol® (dose of 100µg of 8-PN per day) or a placebo. Effect of investigational product will be measured notably on bone density DXA parameters and plasma bone biomarkers.

• Dietary Supplement: Lifenol®

  Lifenol®, powdered extract obtained from female hops flowers (Humulus lupulus L.) standardized in 8-PN content (100 µg /day) + maltodextrin = 500 mg/capsule

  + 1000 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D per day

• Dietary Supplement: Placebo

  Maltodextrin = 500 mg/capsule

  + 1000 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D per day

• Active Comparator: Lifenol
  50 participants who meet the eligibility criteria will be randomised under active arm and will receive Lifenol product during 12 months
  Intervention: Dietary Supplement: Lifenol®
• Placebo Comparator: Placebo
  50 participants who meet the eligibility criteria will be randomised under Placebo arm and will receive placebo product during 12 months
  Intervention: Dietary Supplement: Placebo

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Be able to give written informed consent;
2. Be 50 - 85 years of age;
3. Be a free-living postmenopausal (> 1 year post menopause) woman;
4. Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) 18 - 32.0 kg/m²;
5. Present with a stable weight (+/- 3 kg) for at least the last three (3) months;
6. Be a non-smoker
7. Maintain existing food and physical activity patterns throughout the study period;
8. Present with osteopenia defined as a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) T score comprised between -1 and -2.5;
9. Be willing to consume the investigational product daily for the duration of the study.

Be able to give written

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Are hypersensitive to any of the components of the investigational product;
2. Is currently involved in any other clinical trial or having participated in a trial within the preceding 60 days;
3. Has a diagnosis of osteoporosis (defined as a T score strictly inferior to -2.5);
4. Is currently a smoker;
5. Trying to lose weight for the last three (3) months (following a diet or exercise regimen designed for weight loss);
6. Recent (within 4 weeks) gastroenteritis or food borne illness;
7. Having taken antibiotics or laxatives during the preceding 2 months or anticipated consumption;
8. Currently taking (and during the past 3 months) any drug for osteoporosis (bisphosphonates, parathyroid hormone, strontium ranelate or denosumab);
9. Currently taking (and during the past 3 months) treatment with oestrogen or hormone therapy;
10. Currently taking (and during the past 3 months) treatment with oestrogen agonist or antagonist products (raloxifene or tamoxifene);
11. Currently taking any supplementation with isoflavones or foods fortified with isoflavones;
12. Currently taking (and during the past 4 weeks) any vitamin K supplementation.
13. Exhibiting excess alcohol consumption, defined as greater than 11 standard drinks per week for women or drug dependence,
14. Has a significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, liver, infectious disease, immune disorder, or metabolic/endocrine disorders or other disease that would preclude supplement ingestion and/or assessment of safety and the study objectives;
15. Has a known organic disease, including an inflammatory bowel disease, a benign or malign tumour of intestine or colon and significant systemic disease;
16. Has a history of cancer within the last 5 years, except basal cell carcinoma, non-squamous skin carcinoma, or carcinoma in situ with no significant progression over the past 2 years;
17. Has uncontrolled hypertension (systolic or diastolic blood pressure superior to 160 and 110 respectively). Subject on hypertension medication, must be on stable medication for 3 months;
18. Has uncontrolled hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism; subject must be stable on medication for 3 months
19. Current illnesses which could interfere with the study (e.g. prolonged severe diarrhoea, regurgitation/severe, difficulty swallowing).
20. Individuals who, in the opinion of the investigator, are considered to be poor attendees or unlikely for any reason to be able to comply with the trial.