Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Their Relation with Bone and Muscle Health in Adults

Abstract

Age-related bone and muscle loss are major public health problems. Investigational therapies to reduce these losses include anti-inflammatory dietary supplementations, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Surprisingly, this topic has received little attention in the osteoporosis community. Recent research highlights the role of PUFA in inflammatory regulation of bone remodeling via cellular pathways. Emerging research suggests significant roles for PUFA in reducing bone and muscle loss with aging; however, findings are conflicted for PUFA and fracture risk. Limited studies suggest a relation between higher omega-3 FA and better muscle/bone in older adults. This review highlights new research since 2008 and synthesizes our current understanding of PUFA in relation to bone and muscle. Across study designs, evidence indicates that PUFA has positive effects upon bone. As data are sparse, future clinical trials and prospective studies are important to determine the long term benefits of PUFA supplementation upon bone and muscle outcomes.

Current Evidence on the Association of Dietary Patterns and Bone Health: A Scoping Review

“…Folate and vitamin B-12 might affect bone by reducing high concentrations of homocysteine, which is associated with the risk of fracture (70). Fish and seafood are rich in PUFAs, especially n-3 FAs, which are known to have the anti-inflammatory impact that benefits bone (71). Dairy products are the main contributors of calcium and magnesium in the diet (72), both of which have a structural role in bone health (73).…”

Dietary Approaches for Bone Health: Lessons from the Framingham Osteoporosis Study

“…The positive relation of fish intake with BMD is likely due to many nutritional factors. In addition to protein (reviewed below), certain seafood are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and specifically the n-3 fatty acid (FA) family, which have been positively linked with bone health due to their anti-inflammatory properties [62]. …”

Creatine, L-Carnitine, andω3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation from Healthy to Diseased Skeletal Muscle

“…Importantly, ω 3 PUFAs have shown beneficial effects on bone health in animal studies [164, 165] but current research suggests only a modest increase in bone turnover in humans [166]. …”