Oxidative Stress and Osteoporosis

Oxidative stress has been implicated as a causative factor in many disease states, possibly including the diminished bone mineral density in osteoporosis.

Understanding the effects of oxidative stress on the development of osteoporosis may lead to further research improving preventative and therapeutic measures that can combat this important contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide.

A diet rich in whole plant foods with high antioxidant content along with antioxidant-preserving lifestyle changes may improve bone mineral density and reduce the risk of fragility-related fractures. While it is not explicitly clear if antioxidant activity is the effector of this change, the current evidence supports this possibility.

Supplementation with isolated antioxidants may also provide some osteoprotective benefits, but whole plant food-derived antioxidants potentially have more overall benefits. Larger-scale clinical trials are needed to give credence to definitive clinical recommendations.