Evidence supporting the use of: Goji berry
For the health condition: Osteoporosis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Goji berry (Lycium barbarum) has been investigated in recent years for its potential benefits in supporting bone health and managing osteoporosis, largely due to its rich content of antioxidants, polysaccharides, and other bioactive compounds. Several preclinical studies (mainly in animal models) have demonstrated that goji berry extracts can improve bone mineral density, promote osteoblast activity, and reduce osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. For example, studies in ovariectomized rats—a common model for postmenopausal osteoporosis—have shown that administration of goji berry polysaccharides may help mitigate bone loss, possibly by modulating oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways implicated in bone metabolism. Some in vitro research also suggests that goji berry constituents can stimulate osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells. Despite these promising findings, the current evidence is primarily limited to laboratory and animal studies. There is a lack of robust clinical trials in humans demonstrating a clear, reproducible benefit of goji berry supplementation for osteoporosis prevention or treatment. As a result, while scientific interest exists and preliminary data are encouraging, the overall strength of evidence remains low, justifying a modest rating. Goji berry is not a standard or primary therapy for osteoporosis, but may be considered as a complementary approach pending further research.

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