Osteoporosis affects nearly three million people in the UK. One in two women and one in five men will suffer a fracture due to osteoporosis. With this startling statistic, those who already have, or are at risk of developing osteoporosis, should actively engage into maintaining their bone mineral density (BMD). But while exercise and supplements can help, can an anti-inflammatory diet benefit your bone density? A recent observational study says it can.

What Was the Study?

Researchers at the Ohio State University examined data from the Women’s Health Initiative – which consisted of three clinical trials – and compared the inflammatory elements of their diets to their bone mass and a number of fractures occurred.

They found that women who had an anti-inflammatory diet lost less bone mass more slowly than women on a highly inflammatory diet.

What Does This Mean for Patients?

The link between a high anti-inflammatory diet and reduced risk of loss of bone density is noted in the study but the question of ‘why?’ has yet to be answered.

For patients who are already suffering from osteoporosis or are concerned about their BMD, this news that an anti-inflammatory diet is another weapon against developing low BMD.

This is also great news for people prone to developing osteoporosis, such as menopausal women, who, along with adding additional calcium and vitamin D to their diet, have more information and options to protect themselves.

Did the Study Pick Out Those at Risk?

The study noted that white women that are younger than 63 and had a highly inflammatory diet were 50% more likely to suffer a fracture of a hip.

What Foods Are Anti-Inflammatory?

The study is clear that healthier foods tend to be anti-inflammatory. A diet that includes whole grains, omega-3 and higher portions fruit and vegetables is better for your bone health than a diet that is highly processed.

This provides another reason for a healthier diet, along with tackling obesity, illnesses and prolonging life. Instead of focusing on simply getting more of one or a few nutrients for a certain condition, the overall recommendation is to get a balanced diet that is in line with the dietary reference values.

Are There Limitations to The Study?

• While the study found that those with an anti-inflammatory diet had a reduced fracture risk, a diet that is highly inflammatory did not have a higher risk of fracture.
• Another limitation of the study is that it was limited to women and it is unsure whether this will have the same effect for men.
• Since this was an observational study, the causality cannot be determined. However unlikely, that means there is a possibility of an unknown factor could affect the results.

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