William R. Proulx

Choices for achieving adequate dietary calcium with a vegetarian diet

To achieve adequate dietary calcium intake, several choices are available that accommodate a variety of lifestyles and tastes. Liberal consumption of dairy products in the diet is the approach of most Americans. Some plants provide absorbable calcium, but the quantity of vegetables required to reach sufficient calcium intake make an exclusively plant-based diet impractical for most individuals unless fortified foods or supplements are included. Also, dietary constituents that decrease calcium retention, such as salt, protein, and caffeine, can be high in the vegetarian diet. Although it is possible to obtain calcium balance from a plant-based diet in a Western lifestyle, it may be more convenient to achieve calcium balance by increasing calcium consumption than by limiting other dietary factors.

Previous physical activity relates to bone mineral measures in young women

Exercise may increase accretion of bone, potentially reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Previous physical activity was assessed in 204 minimally active young women (18-31 yr). Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) for the total body, femoral neck, and spine were assessed by a dual x-ray absorptiometer, and the radius by a single photon absorptiometer. Self-reported occupation and leisure activity for the 5 yr before enrollment in the study, as well as high school and college sports participation, were assigned energy expenditure (EE) values. From this information, EE variables were created as follows: 1) occupation EE + leisure EE + high school sport and/or college sport EE if within prior 5 yr (5-yr EE); 2) occupation EE + leisure EE (occupation + leisure EE); and 3) high school sport EE (high school EE). These variables were correlated with bone mineral measures and significant results follow (P < 0.05). Five-year EE and occupation + leisure EE correlated with all measures of bone health (r from 0.13 to 0.39). High school EE correlated with total body BMD (r = 0.25) and BMC (r = 0.28), femoral neck BMD (r = 0.28), radius BMC (r = 0.20), as well as spine BMD (r = 0.20) and BMC (r = 0.27). When weight was controlled, 5-yr EE and occupation + leisure EE remained correlated with all BMC measures (r from 0.14 to 0.22). When controlled for weight, high school EE remained associated with femoral neck BMD (r = 0.24), total body BMD (r = 0.20) and BMC (r = 0.26), and spine BMC (r = 0.17). To partially control for selection bias, data were also controlled for total body BMD. Five-year EE and occupation + leisure EE remained positively correlated with all measures of BMC. High school EE remained correlated both with femoral neck BMD and total body BMC. In multiple regression analyses, 5-yr EE or occupation + leisure EE were significant predictors of all measures of bone health, except femoral neck BMD. High school EE was a significant predictor for total body BMD and BMC, femoral neck BMD, and spine BMC.

Impact of exercise on bone health and contraindication of oral contraceptive use in young women.

PURPOSE The effect of quantified resistance and high impact exercise training on bone mass as modified by age and oral contraceptive (OCont) use in young women was studied. METHODS Women were categorized by age (18-23 vs 24-31 yr) and OCont use, and were then randomized into either three sessions of resistance exercise plus 60 min.wk-1 of jumping rope or a control group for 24 months. Total body, spine, femoral neck, greater trochanter, Wards area, and radial bone mineral density (BMD) and/or content (BMC), biochemical markers of bone turnover, dietary intake of calcium, lean body mass, maximal oxygen uptake, and strength were determined at baseline and every 6 months. RESULTS Total body (TB) BMC percent change from baseline was higher in exercisers compared with nonexercisers at 6 and 24 months. OCont users had lower bone turnover at baseline and a decrease in TBBMC from baseline compared with non-OCont users at 24 months. Spine BMC and BMD decreased in the exercise and OCont group at 6 months and remained significantly below nonexercisers who used oral contraceptives at 2 yr. Femoral neck BMD also decreased in the exercise and oral contraceptive group at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS Exercise prevented a decline in TBBMC seen in the nonexercisers. On the other hand, exercise in oral contraceptive users prevented the increase observed in the spine of the nonexercise plus OCont group.

Ironing Out Heart Disease Deplete or Not Deplete

Connie M. Weaver, Ph.D., is professor and Head of the Department of Foods and Nutrition at Purdue University. Much of Dr. Weavers research has focused on the metabolism of minerals, particularly calcium and iron. Recent reports implicating excess storage iron as a risk factor in coronary heart disease have prompted a reevaluation of the physiological role of iron. When the consequences of both iron depletion and iron overload are considered, it becomes apparent that recommendations to the general public regarding iron status need to be based on results of sound scientific investigations and not only on conjecture and hypotheses.