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February 21, 2007
Plant derived fatty acids help protect bone
In addition to the known protective effect of fish-derived omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on bone, a study conducted at Penn State University found that omega-3 fatty acids derived from plant sources have a protective benefit as well.
As part of a larger study investigating the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular health, Penn State associate professor of nutrition Rebecca Corwin and colleagues assigned twenty men and three postmenopausal women to three consecutive diets over a twenty-four week period. For the first six weeks, the participants consumed one of two diets high in polyunsaturated fatty acids or an average American diet. After a three week break during which they followed their regular eating patterns, the group resumed the study with one of the diets they had not previously followed. This was followed by another three week period of normal eating, after which the participants were assigned to the remaining diet for the final six weeks of the study.
The high in polyunsaturated fatty acid diets were either high in the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) or the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid (LA). Walnuts supplied 50 percent of the fat in both diets, and flaxseed oil was used in the high alpha-linolenic acid diet. Blood tests for markers of bone formation and bone resorption were conducted before and after the dietary periods.
The researchers found that N-telopeptides, a biomarker for bone resorption, significantly decreased during the diet high in ALA and to a lesser extent during the LA diet compared with the average American diet. Bone-specific alkaline phosphatases which measure bone formation were not affected.
"If less bone is being resorbed and the same amount of bone is being created, then there is a positive balance for bone health," Dr Corwin concluded.
Plant derived fatty acids help protect bone
In addition to the known protective effect of fish-derived omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on bone, a study conducted at Penn State University found that omega-3 fatty acids derived from plant sources have a protective benefit as well.
As part of a larger study investigating the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular health, Penn State associate professor of nutrition Rebecca Corwin and colleagues assigned twenty men and three postmenopausal women to three consecutive diets over a twenty-four week period. For the first six weeks, the participants consumed one of two diets high in polyunsaturated fatty acids or an average American diet. After a three week break during which they followed their regular eating patterns, the group resumed the study with one of the diets they had not previously followed. This was followed by another three week period of normal eating, after which the participants were assigned to the remaining diet for the final six weeks of the study.
The high in polyunsaturated fatty acid diets were either high in the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) or the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid (LA). Walnuts supplied 50 percent of the fat in both diets, and flaxseed oil was used in the high alpha-linolenic acid diet. Blood tests for markers of bone formation and bone resorption were conducted before and after the dietary periods.
The researchers found that N-telopeptides, a biomarker for bone resorption, significantly decreased during the diet high in ALA and to a lesser extent during the LA diet compared with the average American diet. Bone-specific alkaline phosphatases which measure bone formation were not affected.
"If less bone is being resorbed and the same amount of bone is being created, then there is a positive balance for bone health," Dr Corwin concluded.
