The Role of Trace Elements and Minerals in Osteoporosis: A Review of Epidemiological and Laboratory Findings

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to review recent epidemiological and clinical data on the association between selected minerals and trace elements and osteoporosis, as well as to discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying these associations. We have performed a search in the PubMed-Medline and Google Scholar databases using the MeSH terms “osteoporosis”, “osteogenesis”, “osteoblast”, “osteoclast”, and “osteocyte” in association with the names of particular trace elements and minerals through 21 March 2023. The data demonstrate that physiological and nutritional levels of trace elements and minerals promote osteogenic differentiation through the up-regulation of BMP-2 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, as well as other pathways. miRNA and epigenetic effects were also involved in the regulation of the osteogenic effects of trace minerals. The antiresorptive effect of trace elements and minerals was associated with the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis. At the same time, the effect of trace elements and minerals on bone health appeared to be dose-dependent with low doses promoting an osteogenic effect, whereas high doses exerted opposite effects which promoted bone resorption and impaired bone formation. Concomitant with the results of the laboratory studies, several clinical trials and epidemiological studies demonstrated that supplementation with Zn, Mg, F, and Sr may improve bone quality, thus inducing antiosteoporotic effects.

Potential Therapeutic Properties of Olea europaea Leaves from Selected Cultivars Based on Their Mineral and Organic Profiles

“…Chronic low body calcium levels in osteoporosis are usually counteracted through a balanced diet and calcium supplements, often associated with vitamin D and/or Mg [ 39 ]. A rich intake of Ca, vitamin D, and protein calls for higher levels of Mg, as well as hypomagnesemia, which may result in hypocalcemia and hypokalemia [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ]. Malnutrition, obesity, and alcohol withdrawal might involve inorganic phosphate (Pi) or adenosine triphosphate (ATP) deficiencies, linked to bone diseases and myopathies, as well as the central and peripheral nervous system, for which the treatment requires a proper regulation of phosphorus.…”

Metal mixture exposure and the risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis: Baseline Data from the Chinese Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) Study

“…This may be due to differences in urinary zinc concentrations. Co, commonly used in bone and joint implants, may exert its potential mechanism on bone formation by acting as an inducer of HIF-1α (Skalny et al, 2023). However, it is noteworthy that in Quantile g-computation, Co exhibited different directional weights in association with osteopenia and osteoporosis.…”

MiRNAs Expression Modulates Osteogenesis in Response to Exercise and Nutrition

“…Among the micronutrients, vitamin D plays a key role in promoting bone mineralization [ 5 , 49 , 50 ], facilitating the intestinal absorption of phosphorus and calcium intake with the diet that is involved in bone calcification. Vitamin D is a member of the steroid hormones families with nuclear steroid receptors (NR) signalling function and is involved in the biogenesis and regulation of miRNAs expression [ 5 , 6 ].…”