Nutrition in prevention of osteoporosis

Our aim of the study was to find out whether hypolactasia contributes to the development of osteoporosis. In our investigations were involved children of 10-14 years (n = 22) and postmenopausal women of 50-60 years (n = 11). The subjects were assigned to two groups-lactase-normal and lactase-deficient groups. We have analysed calcium intake in the diet, urinary excretion of calcium, serum calcium, serum phosphate, serum parathormone and calcitonin. In children (10-14 years) with lactase deficiency and osteoporosis the mean value of calcium intake was smaller (540-670 mg per day) than in patients of the lactase-normal group (on average 820 mg per day). In children osteoporosis has developed 2-10 years after the hypolactasia diagnosis. In the group of postmenopausal women (50-60 years) calcium intake was smaller in the lactase-deficient group with osteoporosis (average 630 mg per day), in the lactase-normal group in postmenopausal women calcium intake was normal (about 1200 mg per day). Urinary excretion of calcium (per 24 h) and other laboratory analyses did not differ in patients with hypolactasia from patients of the lactase-normal group. Lactase deficiency appears to be one of several factors that predispose the development of osteoporosis, probably through diminished calcium intake.