Potassium, magnesium, and fruit and vegetable intakes are associated with greater bone mineral density in elderly men and women

Abstract

Background: Osteoporosis and related fractures will be growing public health problems as the population ages. It is therefore of great importance to identify modifiable risk factors. Objective: We investigated associations between dietary components contributing to an alkaline environment (dietary potassium, magnesium, and fruit and vegetables) and bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly subjects. Design: Dietary intake measures were associated with both cross-sectional (baseline) and 4-y longitudinal change in BMD among surviving members of the original cohort of the Framingham Heart Study. Dietary and supplement intakes were assessed by food-frequency questionnaire, and BMD was measured at 3 hip sites and 1 forearm site. Results: Greater potassium intake was significantly associated with greater BMD at all 4 sites for men and at 3 sites for women (P < 0.05). Magnesium intake was associated with greater BMD at one hip site for both men and women and in the forearm for men. Fruit and vegetable intake was associated with BMD at 3 sites for men and 2 for women. Greater intakes of potassium and magnesium were also each associated with less decline in BMD at 2 hip sites, and greater fruit and vegetable intake was associated with less decline at 1 hip site, in men. There were no significant associations between baseline diet and subsequent bone loss in women. Conclusion: These results support the hypothesis that alkalineproducing dietary components, specifically, potassium, magnesium, and fruit and vegetables, contribute to maintenance of BMD.Am J Clin Nutr 1999;69:727-36.

Associations between dietary flavonoid intakes and bone health in a scottish population

“…(3,(5)(6)(7) Antioxidants specifically found in fruit and vegetables such as carotenoids may have a protective role, (43) but many of these effects have not been studied extensively, and more research is required in this area. Flavonoids also are found in alcoholic drinks, (44) moderate intakes of which have been associated with better bone health in some studies.…”

“…(2) Poor nutrition is likely to play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease, and in the last decade, a number of population-based studies have demonstrated a beneficial effect of fruit and vegetables on indices of bone health. (3)(4)(5)(6)(7) There could be several mechanisms by which fruit and vegetables act on bone, either via some pharmacologically active compound found within them or by the base buffering of excess dietary metabolic acids. A recent 2-year randomized, controlled trial found that supplementation with potassium citrate or three additional portions of fruit and vegetables a day did not reduce bone turnover or increase BMD, suggesting that any long-term benefits of fruit and vegetable intake on bone are not due to the provision of alkaline salts.…”

Maternal diet during pregnancy is associated with bone mineral density in children: a longitudinal study

“…Recent studies have suggested that diets high in magnesium and potassium may be bene®cial for bone mass maintenance in elderly (Tucker et al, 1999), postmenopausal women (Tranquilli et al, 1994) and premenopausal women (New et al, 1997). The role of phosphorus is more controversial.…”

Increasing dietary nitrate has no effect on cancellous bone loss or fecal microbiome in ovariectomized rats

“…Some observational studies report that fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with increased bone mineral content (BMC) and BMD 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Nitrates, present in high concentrations in leafy green and root vegetables, may serve as a dietary component that supports bone health.…”