A research team from
Harvard affiliated Hebrew Senior Life's Institute for Aging Research, and the
University of Massachusetts Lowell conducted a study to find the effect of
certain dairy products and vitamin D supplements in preventing bone loss among
older adults.
‘Osteoporosis is a condition which occurs due to reduced bone mineral density. Bone loss can be prevented with intake of dairy products together with vitamin D supplements to increase calcium absorption.’
Effect of Vitamin D and
Dairy Products in Preventing Bone Loss
The association of milk,
yogurt, cheese, and cream with bone mineral density in the femoral neck,
trochanter, and lumbar spine were examined.
The research team used
data from Framingham study, a prospective cohort study involving 862 older
Caucasian men and women aged 67-93 years. The mean age of the participants was
75 years. Food frequency questionnaire responses, baseline bone mineral
density, and follow-up bone mineral density, were measured in the Framingham
study. The number of servings of dairy products was examined. The results were
further associated with vitamin D supplements.
The findings showed that
- Consumption of dairy products alone
was not associated with bone mineral density.
- Among
vitamin D supplement users, consumption of milk, cream, cheese and yogurt were
associated with higher bone mineral density in the lumbar spine, when compared
to the non-users.
- Increased consumption of milk, cheese
and yogurt were found to protect against loss of bone mineral density in
trochanter among users of vitamin D supplements when compared to non-users.
Vitamin D stimulates the absorption of calcium,
which is beneficial for building bones and preventing bone loss. The findings
of the study could lead to better care for older adults in preventing
osteoporosis and fracture.
Shivani Sahni, Ph.D. of
Hebrew SeniorLife, lead author of the study said,"This study is
significant because in addition to milk intake, it also examined the
association of other dairy foods such as yogurt, cheese and cream with bone
mineral density and bone loss over time. Furthermore, this study clarified that
the association of dairy foods with bone density is dependent on adequate
vitamin D intake. However, additional studies are needed to confirm these findings
using serum vitamin D concentrations."
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone
disease characterized by low bone mineral density, deterioration of bone
tissue, which cause bone fragility and increase the susceptibility to fracture.
Osteoporosis can lead to loss of physical function, decreased the quality of
life and even death.
Facts on Osteoporosis
- Every year, about 8.9 million
fractures occur due to osteoporosis,
- For every three
seconds, one osteoporotic fracture occurs
- One in three
women over age 50 experience osteoporotic fractures
- One in
five men aged over 50 experience osteoporotic
fractures
- Nearly 75% of hip, spine and distal forearm
fractures occur among older adults
- About 20-25% of hip
fractures occur in men
How to Prevent
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis can be
prevented by keeping the bone healthy and reducing bone loss. A nutritious
diet, exercise, and good lifestyle practices can keep the bones strong and
prevent bone loss.
- Diet - Low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese
and fortified foods such as orange juice, cereals, and
bread.
- Exercise - Walking, jogging, climbing stairs, and
lifting weights
- Healthy Lifestyle- Quitting smoking and
alcohol
References :
- Shivani
Sahni, Kelsey M Mangano, Douglas P Kiel, Katherine L Tucker, and Marian T
Hannan. Dairy Intake Is Protective against Bone Loss in Older Vitamin D
Supplement Users: The Framingham Study. The Journal of Nutrition
(2017). DOI:10.3945/jn.116.240390
- Facts and Statistics - (https://www.iofbonehealth.org/facts-statistics)
Source: Medindia
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