EFFECT OF DIET ON BONE-MATRIX CONSTITUENTS

Bone formation occurs in an integrated, highly ordered manner, beginning in the embryonic period. Nutrients may affect bone formation by delaying cellular differentiation, altering responses to bone growth factors, affecting supply of needed nutrients, and/or affecting rates of synthesis of the matrix constituents. Several growth factors, both systemic and local, are being identified which affect bone formation. Matrix constituents include collagen and noncollagenous proteins, each of which are thought to have specific roles in bone formation, maintenance, or resorption. Among the nutrients which are known to affect bone formation at a cellular level are vitamins A, D, and K, ascorbic acid, zinc, magnesium, and calcium. Nutrients that are known to affect protein synthesis in general also affect bone formation. It is necessary for nutritionists to consider cellular as well as systemic effects of nutrients on bone formation.