Recent Research Provides Tips for Achieving and Maintaining Optimal Bone Health

With the average human life span now stretching longer than ever before, the once-obscure issue of bone health has now emerged as the focus of a great deal of attention. Elderly individuals, particularly women, are at much greater risk of suffering falls, fractures, and bone injuries than are their younger counterparts, and these types of injuries often have a profoundly negative impact on the overall health of older people. Geriatric health experts contend that stronger bones can dramatically increase the quality of life for the elderly.

Scientists are working diligently to uncover the full extent of the relationship between variables such as nutrition, fitness, and genes and bone health. This week, we?ll take a closer look at some of the most significant recent studies that have emerged in this field.

Calcium-Rich Foods Boost Bone Health More than Supplements

As more information emerges about the vital importance of maintaining bone health, increasing numbers of people -- particularly women -- have been trying to incorporate more bone-density-boosting habits into their lifestyles. For many, this includes taking calcium supplements to make up for dietary deficiencies of this mineral, which has been shown to play a central role in creating and maintaining healthy bones throughout the lifespan.

While increasing one?s calcium intake is always a good idea, the results of a recent study conducted by scientists at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri indicates that dietary sources may be more effective than supplements in protecting and promoting bone density and overall bone health.

Although the women who took daily calcium supplements had higher levels of the mineral in their system, the women who received 70% or more of their daily calcium requirements from dietary sources were found to have the best levels of bone density. The authors of the study urge all men and women to focus on increasing their calcium intake, but they caution that more research is needed before a definitive suggestion is made about the ideal source of calcium.

Bone Health Benefits of Soy Consumption Debated

As many consumers have grown more health-conscious in recent years, the popularity and ubiquity of soy-based products has increased exponentially. Although soy loyalists have long claimed that this plant offers a wide array of health benefits, scientists are now beginning to critically examine these claims, and the resulting evidence has been somewhat contradictory.

Soy products have long touted their bone-building benefits, and to an extent, scientific studies have confirmed a connection between soy consumption and overall bone health. One recent study focused specifically on the task of assessing the benefits of a compound known as genistein, which occurs naturally in many soy-based products and supplements.

The scientists found that women who consumed higher levels of this compound had moderately better bone density than their counterparts who only took Vitamin D and calcium supplements. However, the benefits were only significant when the participants took soy-based dietary supplements. No difference was detectable in those women who relied solely on dietary sources for their soy intake.

Indeed, the researchers reported that the amount of genistein needed to achieve better bone health would equate to a daily consumption of eight pounds of tofu or two gallons of soy milk. Still, despite the promise of these preliminary findings, the study?s authors advise consulting with a physician before beginning a regimen of genistein-containing soy supplements, as the high concentration of this compound may have other health impacts.

Common Antidepressants Linked to Bone Weakness in Elderly

Depression is a growing problem among the elderly population, and as a result, antidepressants are being prescribed to elderly individuals at a historically unprecedented rate. However, while this practice may be beneficial for the mental health of the elderly, the results of a recent study conducted by researchers at McGill University in Montreal suggests that antidepressants may negatively impact bone health in the elderly.

Among a group of over 5,000 study participants, it was found that taking prescription antidepressants nearly doubled the risk of sustaining a bone fracture among those over the age of 50. Other studies conducted on animals have suggested that a vital compound in many new antidepressants may actually weaken the composition of bones. As a result of these findings, the study authors suggested that bone health considerations should play a role in the decision-making process when physicians prescribe antidepressants to elderly men and women.

No matter what age you are, it?s always the right time to make lifestyle changes that will protect your bone health. Just a few simple modifications to your habits could significantly improve your quality of life as you enter the later phases of your lifespan. Check back each week for the breaking science news that impacts your health!