The Influence of Total Nutrition on the Bone Health

Over decades the nutritional research in the field of bone has demonstrated the effect of various nutrients on bone, at all ages. This lead to the recognition of the beneficial bone effects of e.g. dairy products, fruits and vegetables, adequate protein intake and calcium-rich mineral waters. But it is difficult to derive practical recommendations from this knowledge. In the last 15 years several studies - including large epidemiologic studies - have been published, which examined the effect of whole nutritional patterns or profiles on bone health. They showed that a nutrition rich in fruits and vegetables, low fat dairy products and moderate meat intake is associated with higher bone density, and even with lower incidence of hip fractures. Among these food patterns figures the Mediterranean Diet, while vegetarian diets, in particular the vegan diet, increase the risk of osteoporosis because of their low content of protein and Calcium.