The Influence of the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern on Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia

Abstract

Diet is a modifiable factor in bone and muscle health. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is rich in nutrients and contains key bioactive components with probable protective effects on muscle and bone deterioration. Osteoporosis (OP) and sarcopenia are diseases that increase frailty and susceptibility to fracture, morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is necessary to combat them in the population. In this regard, MedDiet adherence has proven to be beneficial to bone mineral density (BMD), muscle mass, physical function, OP and sarcopenia. Hence, this diet is proposed as a therapeutic tool that could slow the onset of osteoporosis and sarcopenia. However, there is doubt about the interaction between the MedDiet, strength and fracture risk. Perhaps the amount of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), fruits, vegetables and fish rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients ingested has an influence, though the results remain controversial.

High Adherence to the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Is Inversely Associated with Systemic Inflammation in Older but Not in Younger Brazilian Adults

“…Systemic inflammation can intensify this process since, in addition to their anorectic effect, the cytokines compromise protein availability, contributing to malnutrition [44,45]. The serum inflammatory markers are controlled by greater adherence to the MDP, helping to prevent, for instance, loss of muscle mass, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, frailty, and cognitive decline [46][47][48]. In addition, outside the community-dwelling environment, lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet in elderly patients when hospitalized is associated with a longer length of stay and higher circulating interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha [49].…”

“…Among the 290 younger adults and 293 older adults included in this study, 54.2% and 52.2% were male, had a median age of 41 (33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50) and 68 (63-73) years old, were predominantly white (52.4% and 61.6%) and reported a household income greater than 1 minimum wage (51.3% and 58.9%), respectively. Younger adults with between 10 and 12 years of formal education (36.9%) were more prevalent, while 64.4% of older adults referred to ≤9 years of formal education.…”

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Osteoporosis in a Chinese Population: A Cross-Sectional Study in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China

“…The role of diet is particularly significant in relation to osteoporosis, as it is one of the few modifiable risk factors. The Mediterranean diet has proven to be beneficial to BMD [ 30 ], and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension may improve lumbar spine BMD [ 31 ]. The diet pattern is the high-carbohydrate diet that is common in northwest China.…”

Novel Biomarkers of Bone Metabolism

“…Traditionally, the focus has centered on exploring the influence of the Mediterranean diet on classical biomarkers such as calcium and vitamin D. Nevertheless, a distinct study brought to light that beta-carotene and isoflavones, particularly genistein, exhibited a decelerating effect on bone resorption. This effect manifested through a reduction in serum levels of bone resorption markers, such as RANKL, concomitant with an increase in markers indicative of new bone formation, such as OPG [ 36 , 37 ]. Furthermore, various types of dietary fatty acids can also modulate the RANK/RANKL/OPG system, each with distinct osteogenic potential.…”