Mediterranean diet and osteoporosis | Gaianews.it

According to a new study conducted by the English University of East Anglia (UEA), follow a Mediterranean diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, unrefined grains, lemonade, and more. Olive oil and fish, could reduce bone loss in people with osteoporosis

With regard to the hip bone, a significant reduction is reached in just 12 months of diet. The study is the first long-term clinical trial conducted in Europe that verifies the effects of the Mediterranean diet on the bone health of older people.

More than a thousand people, aged 69 to 79, interviewed by the survey that consisted of the evaluation of two groups: one had to follow a Mediterranean diet, while the other one was the only one of them. another, called the "control group", did not follow any diet.

The bone density of participants was measured early in the study and after 12 months

The diet had no visible impact on participants who initially had normal bone density, whereas 39; it had effects on participants with osteoporosis.

control group, a normal physiological decrease in bone density was observed in relation to age, while in those following the diet, a gradual increase in bone density was observed, especially in the cervix of the femur, the area that connects the femoral stem with the rounded head of the femur that inserts it into the hip joint.

"This is an area particularly prone to osteoporosis and bone loss. The bone loss of the femoral neck is often the cause of a hip fracture, a common occurrence in elderly people with arthritis. of osteoporosis, "says Professor Susan Fairweather-Tait, from Norwick Medical School of UEA." The bone takes a long time to train; therefore, the period of the 12-month test taken by the study, even though it is one of the longest observed so far, is still considered relatively short as it may have a more noticeable effect. However, being able to observe a marked difference between the two groups, even just in relation to that area, is already significant in itself. "

The study, conducted by the University of Bologna, involved 1142 participants from different countries: Italy, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Poland and France

Participants received fruit, vegetables, nuts, etc., badociated with small amounts of dairy products and meat and moderate consumption of alcohol.

At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken to search for circulating biomarkers

In more than 600 participants bone density was measured in the spine and femoral neck

10% showed signs of osteoporosis

Although the number of people affected by osteoporosis was low, it was however sufficient that changes in femoral neck density between the two groups were particularly important, "said Dr. Amy Jennings, co-director researcher of the UEA. "Those who suffer from osteoporosis lose bone faster than healthy people and are therefore more noticeable than others."

Researchers would now like to conduct a similar or longer study. largest group of patients with osteoporosis and seeing if changes can be obtained on other areas of the body.

If the pathological condition could have other results with the application from the Mediterranean diet, we could talk about a very practical addition to support current pharmacological treatments that may not even be free of side effects

However, according to researchers, pending these results, it is not necessary to There is no reason not to consider rehabilitating your diet. 19659002] "The Mediterranean diet has already shown other health benefits, reducing the risk of car illnesses Diovascular, Parkinson, Alzheimer's and cancer, "says Professor Fairweather-Tait.

Leonardo Debbie