[Osteoporosis and intake of carbohydrates]

Clin Calcium. 2005 Apr;15(4):680-3.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Adequate energy intake including carbohydrates is essential to maintain bone mass. Emaciation along with deficiency in nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin D, and protein is a significant risk factor for bone loss, and should be avoided. However, there is no clinical evidence that shows the direct effects of carbohydrate on bone mass. On the other hand, excessive intake of carbohydrates results in obesity, which causes other metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM). Therefore, dietary regimen must be balanced in general, and complications and conditions of individual patients should be taken well into account. In addition, energy intake is a basis for adequate exercise in order to maintain physical activity and ideal body weight, which will further decrease the risk of bone fracture. Some indigestible carbohydrates, such as inulin and oligofructose, are shown to increase the availability of minerals from foods, and thus can be beneficial to bone mass.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Body Weight
  • Bone Density
  • Calcium / deficiency
  • Diabetes Mellitus / etiology
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / adverse effects
  • Energy Intake
  • Exercise
  • Fractures, Bone / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Insulin / deficiency
  • Insulin / physiology
  • Inulin / administration & dosage
  • Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Oligosaccharides / administration & dosage
  • Osteoporosis / etiology*
  • Osteoporosis / prevention & control*
  • Protein Deficiency / complications
  • Risk Factors
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / complications

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Insulin
  • Oligosaccharides
  • oligofructose
  • Inulin
  • Calcium