Yogurt: Good for Bones?
The more yogurt you eat, the lower your risk of osteoporosis may be. That news comes from Trinity College, Dublin study including 4,310 Irish men and women over age 60. The researchers reported that bone mineral density in women’s hips and femur neck bone were 3.1 to 3.9 percent higher among those who ate yogurt more than once a day compared to those who consumed none. The highest yogurt consumption among men was linked to 9.5 percent lower bone thinning. To determine their conclusions the researchers also analyzed the participants’ osteoporosis risk factors including body mass index, kidney function, physical activity, milk or cheese consumption, and calcium or vitamin D supplements. After adjusting for all that, they found that each unit increase of yogurt consumption in women corresponded to a 39 percent lower risk of osteoporosis than those who ate the least. Among men each unit increase in yogurt consumption lowered the risk 52 percent. Initially, the participants were asked whether they ate yogurt “never,” “two to three times per week” or “more than one serving per day.” Because the study was observational, it did not prove cause and effect.
Source:
Eamon Laird et al, “Greater yogurt consumption is associated with increased bone mineral density and physical function in older adults.” Osteoporosis International, 2017; DOI: 10.1007/s00198-017-4049-5
Also in this week’s bulletin:
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