Minerals and vitamins in bone health: the potential value of dietary enhancement

Abstract

Nutrition is important to bone health, and a number of minerals and vitamins have been identified as playing a potential role in the prevention of bone diseases, particularly osteoporosis. Despite this, there is currently no consensus on maximum levels to allow in food or as dietary supplements. The benefits of supplementation of populations at risk of osteoporosis with Ca and vitamin D are well established. Prolonged supplementation of Ca and vitamin D in elderly has been shown to prevent bone loss, and in some intervention studies to prevent fragility fractures. Although P is essential to bone health, the average intake is considered to be more than sufficient and supplementation could raise intake to adverse levels. The role of vitamin K in bone health is less well defined, though it may enhance the actions of Ca and vitamin D. Sr administered in pharmacological doses as the ranelate salt was shown to prevent fragility fractures in postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, there is no hard evidence that supplementation with Sr salts would be beneficial in the general population. Mg is a nutrient implicated in bone quality, but the benefit of supplementation via foodstuffs remains to be established. A consensus on dietary supplementation for bone health should balance the risks, for example, exposure of vulnerable populations to values close to maximal tolerated doses, against evidence for benefits from randomised clinical trials, such as those for Ca and vitamin D. Feedback from community studies should direct further investigations and help formulate a consensus on dietary supplementation for bone health.

Macro and micro minerals: are frozen fruits a good source?

“…It also influences bone quality, decreasing hydroxyapatite crystal size, and thereby, preventing the larger crystals that could lead to brittle bone (Bonjour et al 2009). …”

“…Calcium provides strength and hardness to bones and teeth, and mediates vascular constriction and vasodilation, muscle contraction, transmission of nerve impulses and blood clotting (Krall 2000). Phosphorus is also a constituent of bones (Bonjour et al 2009), but when in high levels, it could lead to Ca metabolism disorders because of a drop in the plasma concentration of ionized Ca, and secondary hyperparathyroidism (Bonjour et al 2009). …”

Nutritional aspects of the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis

“…Mg influences mineral metabolism indirectly through its role in ATP metabolism and as a cofactor Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2010;54/2 Nutritional aspects in osteoporosis for over 300 proteins, the calciotropic hormones and 1,25(OH) 2 D. Mg also influences bone health by direct effects on bone quality, decreasing hydroxyapatite crystal size, thereby preventing the larger, more perfect mineral crystals that cold lead to brittle bone (42). Severe experimental magnesium deficiency results in abnormal bone structure and function, but this level of depletion is rarely observed in generally well nourished human populations (43).…”

“…Dairy products, meat, and fish are particularly rich sources of phosphorus. Phosphorus is also a component of many polyphosphate food additives and is present in most soft drinks as phosphoric acid (42).…”

Overview of the physiological changes and optimal diet in the golden age generation over 50

“…The enhancement of muscle mass by physical exercise and high protein intake contribute in part to the static and dynamic balance of the elderly leading to a minimised risk of accident and bone fractures [21]. Magnesium, a regulator of active Ca transport, and vitamin K, an important co-factor for several bone-proteins, are also compounds which improve bone health [65,66].…”