Fractures, calcium, and the modern diet
1dmhegsted@aol.com
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|October 31, 2001
Summary
High calcium intake may not prevent fractures, despite recommendations for osteoporosis. Research suggests diet, not just calcium, influences fracture risk, prompting a re-evaluation of dietary factors.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Gerontology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- High calcium intake is recommended for osteoporosis prevention, but evidence for fracture prevention is limited.
- Osteoporotic fractures are prevalent in Western societies, similar to coronary artery disease.
- Statins and diets rich in fruits and vegetables show potential in fracture prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of high calcium intake in preventing fractures.
- To explore potential common etiologic factors for osteoporotic fractures and cardiovascular disease.
- To understand why low-calcium diet populations experience fewer fractures than high-calcium diet populations.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing evidence on calcium intake, statins, and fracture risk.
- Epidemiological comparison of fracture rates in populations with varying dietary calcium consumption.
- Analysis of potential shared dietary factors influencing bone health and cardiovascular risk.
Main Results:
- Limited evidence supports high calcium intake for preventing osteoporotic fractures.
- Statins and fruit/vegetable-rich diets are associated with reduced fracture risk.
- Populations with low-calcium diets exhibit lower fracture rates than Western societies.
Conclusions:
- Current recommendations for high calcium intake to prevent fractures may be insufficient.
- Dietary factors beyond calcium, potentially shared with cardiovascular health, are critical for fracture prevention.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind lower fracture rates in low-calcium diet populations.
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