Nutritional Influences on Bone Health

Bone tissue undergoes continuous remodelling through the balanced activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Nutritional adequacy is essential to support matrix synthesis, mineralisation and cellular differentiation. Calcium and vitamin D remain cornerstones of bone health by regulating mineral homeostasis and promoting osteoblast function, while protein contributes amino acids necessary for collagen formation. Emerging evidence highlights the role of other micronutrients—including magnesium, vitamin K and trace elements such as zinc—in modulating bone mass and strength. Dietary patterns rather than single nutrients may exert synergistic effects: adherence to Mediterranean or prudent diets rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish and healthy fats correlates with higher bone mineral density and lower fracture risk. Conversely, dietary patterns high in refined sugars, saturated fats and sodium can impair calcium absorption and exacerbate bone resorption. Oxidative stress disrupts the remodelling balance by enhancing osteoclast activity, and antioxidant nutrients may mitigate this process. Recent studies also suggest interactions between nutrient intake and genetic variants that influence individual responses to antioxidants and bone outcomes. Given the global burden of osteoporosis and fragility fractures, translating these insights into evidence-based dietary recommendations represents a promising avenue to improve skeletal health across the lifespan.

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Nutritional Influences on Bone Health publication trend

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Technical terms

Bone mineral density (BMD): A measure of mineral content in bone, expressed as grams per square centimetre, indicative of bone strength and fracture risk.

Osteoblast: A bone-forming cell responsible for the synthesis of collagen matrix and mineral deposition during bone remodelling.

Osteoclast: A bone-resorbing cell that degrades mineralised matrix, enabling turnover and calcium release.

Oxidative stress: An imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant defence leading to cellular damage, implicated in increased bone resorption.

Single-nucleotide variant (SNV): A variation at a single nucleotide position in DNA, which can influence gene function or nutrient metabolism.

Plant-Based Diet Index (PDI): A dietary scoring system distinguishing adherence to healthful (hPDI) versus unhealthful (uPDI) plant-focused food patterns.

References

1. Plant-Based Diets and Risk of Hip Fracture in Postmenopausal Women. JAMA Network Open (2024).
2. Association Study between Antioxidant Nutrient Intake and Low Bone Mineral Density with Oxidative Stress-Single Nucleotide Variants: GPX1 (rs1050450 and rs17650792), SOD2 (rs4880) and CAT (rs769217) in Mexican Women. Antioxidants (2023).
3. Dietary patterns associated with the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Food Production, Processing and Nutrition (2023).
4. Nutrients and Dietary Patterns Related to Osteoporosis. Nutrients (2020).