Changes in biochemical indexes of bone metabolism and bone mineral density after a 12-mo dietary intervention program: the Postmenopausal Health Study

Abstract

Background: In southern Europe, calcium supplementation alone is a common practice for osteoporosis prevention.

Objective: We examined whether calcium supplementation could be as effective in achieving favorable bone mass changes in postmenopausal women as is a holistic dietary approach including dairy products fortified with calcium and vitamin D3.

Design: A sample of 101 postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to a dairy intervention group (n = 39) who received daily approximately 1200 mg Ca and 7.5 microg vitamin D3 via fortified dairy products and attended biweekly nutrition education sessions; a calcium-supplemented group (n = 26) who received a total of 1200 mg Ca/d; and a control group (n = 36).

Results: The increases observed in serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I were greater in the dairy intervention group than in the 2 other groups, especially during the first 5 mo of intervention (P = 0.034). The decreases and increases observed during 5 and 12 mo, respectively, in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were significant in all groups (P = 0.050). Serum parathyroid hormone increased only in the control group, and serum type 1 collagen cross-linked C-telopeptide decreased only in the dairy intervention group during both 5 and 12 mo of intervention (P = 0.035 and 0.047, respectively). The dairy intervention group had greater improvements in pelvis (P = 0.040), total spine (P = 0.001), and total-body (P = 0.001) bone mineral density than did the other 2 groups.

Conclusion: The application of a holistic intervention approach combining nutrition education and consumption of fortified dairy products for 12 mo can induce more favorable changes in biochemical indexes of bone metabolism and bone mineral density than can calcium supplementation alone.