Energy Balance and Bone Health: a Nutrient Availability Perspective

Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2023 Feb;21(1):77-84. doi: 10.1007/s11914-022-00765-4. Epub 2022 Dec 21.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Obesity is highly prevalent and is associated with bone fragility and fracture. The changing nutrient availability to bone in obesity is an important facet of bone health. The goal of this article is to summarize current knowledge on the effects of carbohydrate and dietary fat availability on bone, particularly in the context of other tissues.

Recent findings: The skeleton is a primary site for fatty acid and glucose uptake. The trafficking of carbohydrates and fats into tissues changes with weight loss and periods of weight gain. Exercise acutely influences nutrient uptake into bone and may affect nutrient partitioning to bone. Bone cells secrete hormones that signal to the brain and other tissues information about its energetic state, which may alter whole-body nutrient trafficking. There is a critical need for studies to address the changes that metabolic perturbations have on nutrient availability in bone.

Keywords: Bone marrow adiposity; Bone remodeling; Energy balance; High-fat diet; Nutrient trafficking; Weight cycling.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Bone Density*
  • Dietary Fats / metabolism
  • Energy Intake
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Humans
  • Nutrients
  • Obesity* / metabolism

Substances

  • Dietary Fats