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Review
. 2012;31(3):239-53.
doi: 10.1080/21551197.2012.698220.

Flavonoid intake and bone health

Connie M Weaver  1 , D Lee Alekel, Wendy E Ward, Martin J Ronis
Affiliations
Review

Flavonoid intake and bone health

Connie M Weaver et al. J Nutr Gerontol Geriatr. 2012.

Abstract

Flavonoids, found in a wide diversity of plant foods from fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices, essential oils, and beverages, have the most potential of dietary components for promotion of bone health beyond calcium and vitamin D. Recent epidemiological studies show flavonoid consumption to have a stronger association with bone than general fruit and vegetable consumption. Bioactive flavonoids are being assessed for properties beyond their chemical antioxidant capacity, including anti-inflammatory actions. Some have been reported to enhance bone formation and to inhibit bone resorption through their action on cell signaling pathways that influence osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation. Future research is needed to determine which of the flavonoids and their metabolites are most effective and at what dose, as well as the mechanism of modulating cellular events, in order to set priorities for clinical trials.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclaimer/Conflict of Interest: The views expressed in this chapter are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Dietary intake and factors impact bone turnover and bone cell survival via common signal transduction pathways. BMP, bone morphogenic protein; E2, 17β-estradiol; MSC, mesenchymal stem cell; NEFA, nonesterified free fatty acids; Nox, NADPH oxidase; OB, osteoblast; OC, osteoclast; OJ, orange juice; OPG, osteoprotegrin; ROS, reactive oxygen species.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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