[Evidence-based, best-practice guidelines for primary prevention of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures]

Community health interventions aimed at increasing peak bone mass and decreasing lifelong bone loss could substantially reduce the incidence of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures. Before now, no evidence-based practice guidelines for primary prevention of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures have been produced for public health center workers, primary care providers, and community health specialists. We constructed guidelines that present the effects of life-style factors, such as food and nutritional intake, in (1) increasing peak bone mass among young adults, (2) minimizing bone loss among menopausal and postmenopausal women, and (3) preventing fractures among the elderly. To do this, we systematically reviewed relevant evidence on the effects of physique, milk, dairy products, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A, magnesium, and isoflavones. The guidelines provide optimum intake values and recommendations for young adults, women, and the elderly.