Blackcurrants Modify Gut Microbiota and Reduce Osteoporosis and CVD Risk

Inclusion Criteria: * perimenopausal or early postmenopausal women aged 45-60 years old * not on HRT for at least one year before the initiation of the study * maintaining normal exercise level (\<7 h/wk) and willing to avoid exercise 24-h prior to blood and stool sampling and 12-h prior to bone measurements * willing to ingest a dietary BC supplement or placebo (up to 900 mg/day, two 450 mg capsules) as well as 400 mg calcium and 500 IU vitamin D daily * willing to avoid other dietary supplements for the duration of the study * willing to avoid intake of foods extremely rich in anthocyanins and fermented dairy products containing viable Bifidobacteria or Lactobacilli * willing to have 3 blood draws, 2 stool collections, and 2 bone scans * willing to take urine pregnancy test if they are perimenopausal. Exclusion Criteria: * those with metabolic bone disease, renal disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease, liver disease or other chronic diseases * those with hypertension or on drugs that lower blood pressure * those with planned surgery during the study period or within 2 weeks of ending the intervention * taking medications that alter bleeding (such as antiplatelets or anticoagulants) or those with a bleeding disorder * taking a phenothiazine drug (most commonly used for nausea or mental health conditions) * having a sensitivity or allergy to any of ingredients for the placebo (rice powder) and calcium/D supplement (calcium citrate, polyethylene glycol, croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, oligofructose enriched inulin, propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, talc, titanium dioxide, vitamin D3) * heavy smokers (\>20 cigarettes/day) * perimenopausal women with any chance or plan of pregnancy * taking prescription medications known to alter bone and Ca metabolism such as calcitonin, bisphosphonates, raloxifene within 3 months before the start of the study * taking anabolic agents such as parathyroid hormone, growth hormone, or steroids within 3 months before the start of the study * planning any procedure that includes iodine, barium or nuclear medicine isotopes in next 7 months * alcohol consumption exceeding 2 drinks/day (approximately 14 g ethanol per drink) or a total of 12/week * UConn students and/or employees who any key personnel teach or who report to any key personnel * study key personnel, spouses of key personnel, or dependents/relatives of any key personnel.