Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Bone Turnover in Older Women

Abstract

Animal and human studies indicate that omega (n)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) can influence bone health. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the effects of n-3 long chain (LC) PUFA supplementation (N-3 LCPUFA) on red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid levels and bone turnover markers in older postmenopausal women. One hundred and twenty-six postmenopausal women (mean age 75±7 years) were treated with n-3 LCPUFA (1.2 g eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]/docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]/day, n=85) or placebo (olive oil, n=41) for 6 months. All women received 315 mg calcium citrate and 1000 IU cholecalciferol. RBC DHA (weight %) increased in the n-3 LCPUFA group, compared to no change in the placebo group (P<0.001). The ratio of DHA+EPA:arachidonic acid (AA) increased by 42 % in the n-3 LCPUFA group and by 5% in the placebo group (P<0.001). Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin decreased in the n-3 LCPUFA group (P<0.05) with no between-group difference. Short-term n-3 LCPUFA supplementation increased RBC concentrations of DHA and n-3:n-6 ratios. Bone turnover decreased with n-3 LCPUF, but not statistically compared to placebo. The results point to the need for investigations with greater dosages of n-3 LCPUFA for a longer duration to understand the contribution to bone metabolism in postmenopausal women.

The Effect of Moderate Dietary Protein and Phosphate Restriction on Calcium‐Phosphate Homeostasis in Healthy Older Cats

“…The test diet was higher in ω‐3 PUFA than the control diet, which at high doses have renoprotective effects in experimental canine models of kidney disease, although it is not possible from this study to assess whether the increased concentration of ω‐3 PUFA had effects on the cats’ renal function. It is also possible that this difference could have had an impact on calcium‐phosphate homeostasis as there is emerging evidence that ω‐3 PUFA supplementation might reduce bone turnover in postmenopausal women . Markers of bone turnover were not examined in this study; however, ionized calcium concentrations increased more greatly in the test diet group, which could be a result of decreased calcium deposition in bone.…”

The Relationship Between Omega-3, Omega-6 and Total Polyunsaturated Fat and Musculoskeletal Health and Functional Status in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of RCTs

“…These are sub-cohorts of the same study (PREDIMED) reporting on different study centres were conducted in Europe, four in North America, four each in Asia and Australia and one each for South America and Africa. Eight RCTs included only post-menopausal women [22,[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46], two of which were of osteopenic or osteoporotic women [22,43]. Sample sizes ranged from 25 to 2501 (mean 252, median 100 participants), and intervention duration ranged from 24 weeks to 4 years (mean 12.9 months).…”

Extra virgin olive oil consumption reduces the risk of osteoporotic fractures in the PREDIMED trial

“…[1,6] In addition, other specific nutrients, foods, or dietary patterns can influence bone health. [6][7][8][9] Adhering to a traditional Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), characterized by high intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts and olive oil, has been linked to a lower risk of hip fractures, [10][11][12] which might partly explain the epidemiological evidence of a geographical variation in the incidence of hip fractures across Europe, the highest rates being in North Europe and the lowest in the Mediterranean basin countries or in United States' population where it was associated a lower risk of hip fracture with MedDiet pattern. [11,13] These observations might be attributed to the high content of monounsaturated fats (MUFA) and polyphenols in olive oil, the main fat consumed in the Mediterranean diet.…”