 |
||
|
| ||
|
Dietary potassium increases bone mineral
density and may help prevent osteoporosis Spring 2009, Vol 5, Issue 15 
In this featured study, researchers sought to examine the lesser known influence of
dietary potassium on bone mineral density (BMD). Noting the public health significance
of osteoporosis and bone fractures, investigators acknowledge that most
bone health studies focus on calcium and vitamin D, and less on other contributing
minerals and nutrients. Several epidemiological studies have noted the beneficial
influence of potassium intake on bone mass in men and women of various age
groups. However, few have assessed long-term bone health and potassium intake.
In this study, Zhu et al investigated the long-term effects of potassium on BMD in a
group of post menopausal women. Notably, to their knowledge this is the first study
to use "peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) to assess volumetric
BMD in elderly women."
Researchers applied a "gold standard measure" 24-hour urinary analysis to confirm
potassium intake predictions based on self-reported dietary questionnaires. Zhu et
al note that 85% of potassium is known to be absorbed and approximately 85% of
ingested potassium is excreted in urine. This study examined the relationship of
baseline potassium intake (24-hour urine) among a randomly selected subgroup of
266 elderly postmenopausal women and BMD at one and five years later. The
cohort was drawn from a five-year calcium intervention study in which 24-hour
urine collections were taken. Subjects included in the study were women 70 years
of age or older, likely to survive five years, and without consumption of any bone
active agents.
Women were grouped into quartiles based on 24-hour urine excretion. No significant
differences were observed in any of the groups in BMI, age, physical activity
levels, dietary energy intake or consumption of calcium, vitamin C and protein. The
highest quartile of urinary potassium excretion included the greatest percentage of
subjects who had four or more kinds of vegetables per day. It was observed that the
highest quartile also included women with a total hip BMD 5-6% greater than
women in the lowest potassium excretion quartiles at baseline, and 4% greater at
five years. While Zhu et al’s findings are consistent with other epidemiological data,
they suggest an intervention study is needed to further elucidate the relationship of
potassium intake and bone mineral density. Their research suggests that increasing
consumption of potassium-rich foods may improve bone health and contribute to the
prevention of osteoporosis.
Study: Zhu. et al, Osteoporos Int, 20:335-340 (2009) RETURN to research reviews from dietary potassium, BMD and osteoporosis |
Share with a colleague
SEARCH OUR SITE:
 NEW WEBINAR!
Potent Healing Solutions with Innate Response
With James Doherty, National Educator GET NOTIFIED OF NEW ISSUES! Sign-up for our e-newsletter and never miss annother issue! |
|
|
A WELCOME MESSAGE from Matt Laughlin, Editor-in-Chief
Innate Response E-News includes new and archived editorial from UH,
research reviews in whole foods, therapeutic rationales on whole food supplementation, and more...
[?] Subscribe To This Site
|
||
|
Home
| Recent Issues
| Subscribe
| About the Journal
Feature Interviews | Research Reviews in Whole Foods Whole Foods in Medicine | Clinical Focus | Healing and Consciousness Free Webinars | UH Blog | Contact Us Copyright © 2007 - 2010 - Unified Health™ - All Rights Reserved Return to top |
||
