Treatment with Potassium Bicarbonate Lowers Calcium Excretion and Bone Resorption in Older Men and Women

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Source: Endocrine Society

Released: Mon 01-Dec-2008, 11:30 ET

Embargo expired: Wed 03-Dec-2008, 07:00 ET

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546949/?sc=dwhn

Calcium and Vitamin D May Not Be the Only Protection Against Bone Loss

Description

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 accepted for publication in the Journal of

Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 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.

Newswise — 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 accepted for publication in The

Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

(JCEM). 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.

The article “Treatment with Potassium Bicarbonate Lowers Calcium

Excretion and Bone Resorption in Older Men and Women,” will appear in

the January issue of JCEM.

Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest, largest,

and most active organization devoted to research on hormones, and the

clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society’s

membership consists of over 14,000 scientists, physicians, educators,

nurses and students in more than 80 countries. Together, these members

represent all basic, applied, and clinical interests in endocrinology.

The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, land. To learn more

about the Society, and the field of endocrinology, visit our web site at

http://www.endo-society.org.

--

ne Holden, MS, RD

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