Vitamin D with bisphosphonates
Women with osteoporosis may take bisphosphonates, like alendronate, to increase bone mineral density (BMD), but long-term side effects include jaw and other atypical fractures. One of the ways to reduce side effects is to periodically discontinue treatment, as the bone density benefits continue during the interim, known as the “tail effect.”
In this study, doctors reviewed data from postmenopausal women, average age 61, who took 70 mg alendronate per day, plus 25,000 IU of vitamin D every two weeks, between 2006 and 2016. Women took treatment for an average of 31.2 months, and discontinued treatment for an average of 33.3 months.
Women with the highest vitamin D levels saw a 5.7 percent increase in BMD at the lumbar spine, which doctors said was the first evidence for vitamin D boosting the “tail effect” of alendronate.
Reference: Nutrients; 2021, Vol. 13, No. 6, 34072655, 1878
Omega-3s boost BMD
In this study, doctors measured levels of 17 different fatty acids in 301 healthy postmenopausal women, average age 59, and compared BMD levels. Doctors took into account differences in body mass index scores, as well as how much vitamin D and calcium the women took.
Overall, as levels of omega-3 fatty acids increased, bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and the hip-bone femoral neck also increased. The other fatty acids did not appear to have a significant effect on BMD.
Discussing the findings, doctors said these results support previous research showing that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids play a role in maintaining bone health by protecting bone mass and preventing fracture.
Reference: Nutrients; 2021; Vol. 13, No. 5, 13051454, 1454
Internet Metadata tags: #Vitamin D #Bisphophonates #Omega-3 #Bones #Postmenopause