title: Calcium from plant sources is beneficial to lowering the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal Korean women.
abstract: Osteoporosis, which has become a serious public health concern, is influenced by diet, especially calcium intake. Dairy products are a good source of calcium, but plant calcium may also be important in populations that do not consume a large amount of milk. The purpose of the present study was to examine the hypothesis that calcium from vegetable sources is associated with osteoporosis risk and bone mineral density in postmenopausal Korean women with osteoporosis and age-matched controls (N = 144). The results of multivariate-adjusted regression analyses indicated that the intake of calcium, plant calcium, potassium, vitamin A, carotene, vitamin B(1), niacin, vitamin E, vitamin C, and vegetables was associated with significantly reduced risk of osteoporosis after adjusting for age, body mass index, hormone replacement therapy, and energy intake. In addition, intake of vegetables alone, as well as calcium, plant calcium, potassium, and antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene), which are abundant in vegetables, was significantly and positively associated with bone mineral density. However, in this population of low-dairy consumers, intake of calcium from meat and dairy products was not related to risk of osteoporosis and bone mineral density. Our results suggest that high dietary intake of calcium, especially plant calcium, reduces the risk of osteoporosis and increased bone mineral density in postmenopausal Korean women. Vegetables may be an important source of calcium and may also provide vitamins and minerals that exert additional beneficial effects on the bone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yong San Medical Center, College of Medicine, Chung Ang University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyoung-Moo
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jumi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heo
authors.forename: Yongsoon
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D044466:Asian People; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D002118:Calcium