Calicum & Vitamin D may not be the only protection against bone loss

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interesting article

heidi

Calcium And Vitamin D May Not Be The Only Protection Against Bone Loss

ScienceDaily (Dec. 4, 2008) — Diets that are high in protein and

cereal grains produce an excess of acid in the body which may

increase calcium excretion and weaken bones, according to a new study.

The study found that increasing the alkali content of the diet, with

a pill or through a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has the

opposite effect and strengthens skeletal health.

" Heredity, diet, and other lifestyle factors contribute to the

problem of bone loss and fractures, " said Bess Dawson-, M.D.,

of Tufts University in Boston, Mass. and lead author of the

study. " When it comes to dietary concerns regarding bone health,

calcium and vitamin D have received the most attention, but there is

increasing evidence that the acid/base balance of the diet is also

important. "

Average older adults consume diets that, when metabolized, add acid

to the body, said Dr. Dawson-. With aging, we become less able

to excrete the acid. One way the body may counteract the acid from

our diets is through bone resorption, a process by which bones are

broken down to release minerals such as calcium, phosphates, and

alkaline (basic) salts into the blood. Unfortunately, increased bone

resorption leads to declines in bone mass and increases in fracture

risk.

" When fruits and vegetables are metabolized they add bicarbonate, an

alkaline compound, to the body, " said Dr. Dawson . " Our study

found that bicarbonate had a favorable effect on bone resorption and

calcium excretion. This suggests that increasing the alkali content

of the diet may attenuate bone loss in healthy older adults. "

In this study, 171 men and women aged 50 and older were randomized to

receive placebo or doses of either: potassium bicarbonate, sodium

bicarbonate, or potassium chloride for three months. Researchers

found that subjects taking bicarbonate had significant reductions in

calcium excretion, signaling a decrease in bone resorption.

" In this study, we demonstrated that adding alkali in pill form

reduced bone resorption and reduced the losses of calcium in the

urine over a three month period, " said Dr. Dawson-. " This

intervention warrants further investigation as a safe and well

tolerated supplement to reduce bone loss and fracture risk in older

men and women. "

Other researchers working on the study include ,

Palermo, Helen Rasmussen, and Gerard Dallal of Tufts University in

Boston, Mass., and Carmen Castaneda-Sceppa of Northeastern University

in Boston, Mass.

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Journal reference:

.. Treatment with Potassium Bicarbonate Lowers Calcium Excretion and

Bone Resorption in Older Men and Women. Journal of Clinical

Endocrinology & Metabolism, January 2009