Importance of nutrition on bone health

A number of minerals and vitamins have been identified as playing a potential role in the prevention of bone diseases, a new review article reports.

The publication is reviewing the importance of nutrition on bone health and its role in the prevention of bone diseases, particularly osteoporosis (1). The authors say that the benefits of supplementation of populations at risk of osteoporosis with calcium and vitamin D are well established. Although phosphor is essential to bone health, the average intake is considered to be more than sufficient and supplementation could raise intake to adverse levels.

According to the scientists, the role of vitamin K in bone health is less well defined, though it may enhance the actions of calcium and vitamin D. Magnesium is a nutrient implicated in bone quality, but the benefit of supplementation via foodstuffs remains to be established.

Despite this, there is currently no consensus on maximum levels to allow in food or as dietary supplements. The authors comment that 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 randomized clinical trials, such as those for calcium and vitamin D. Feedback from community studies should direct further investigations and help formulate a consensus on dietary supplementation for bone health.

1. Bonjour J-P et al. Minerals and vitamins in bone health: the potential value of dietary enhancement. BJN. 2009; 101:1581–1596.