phytoestrogens and Vitamin-D-Deficiency

Nutrition is important in promoting bone health and in managing an individual with low bone mass or osteoporosis. In adult women and men, known losses of bone mass and microarchitecture occur, and nutrition can help minimize these losses. In every patient, a healthy diet with adequate protein, fruits, vegetables, calcium, and vitamin D is required to maintain bone health. Recent reports on nutritional remedies for osteoporosis have highlighted the importance of calcium in youth and continued importance in conjunction with vitamin D as the population ages. It is likely that a calcium intake of 1200 mg/d is ideal, and there are some concerns about excessive calcium intakes. However, vitamin D intake needs to be increased in most populations. The ability of soy products, particularly genistein aglycone, to provide skeletal benefit has been recently studied, including some data that support a new medical food marketed as Fosteum (Primus Pharmaceuticals, Scottsdale, AZ).

Topics: Adult; Bone and Bones; Bone Diseases, Metabolic; Calcium; Child; Food, Formulated; Fractures, Bone; Genistein; Humans; Nutrition Assessment; Nutritional Requirements; Nutritional Status; Osteoporosis; Phytoestrogens; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency

Osteoporosis is a serious public health concern. Skeletal fragility, leading to spine and hip fractures, is a major source of morbidity and mortality. Adequate calcium intake from childhood to the end of life is critical for the formation and retention of a healthy skeleton. It is important to prevent bone loss from occurring, to identify potential risk factors, and to correct them. Many genetic and lifestyle factors influence the risk for osteoporosis. Among these, diet is believed to be one of the most important, especially the roles of calcium and vitamin D. Deficiency in other dietary factors--eg, protein, vitamin K, vitamin A, phytoestrogens, and other nutrients--might also contribute to the risk for osteoporosis. In this article, the roles of diet and nutritional supplementation in preventing and treating osteoporosis are reviewed.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bone and Bones; Calcium, Dietary; Child; Child, Preschool; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; Female; Fractures, Bone; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Isoflavones; Life Style; Male; Middle Aged; Nutritional Requirements; Nutritional Status; Osteoporosis; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal; Phytoestrogens; Plant Preparations; Quality of Life; Risk Factors; United States; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin K; Vitamin K Deficiency