Bone-related mineral content of water samples collected on the Navajo reservation

Citation
J. Hallfrisch et al., Bone-related mineral content of water samples collected on the Navajo reservation, TOXICOLOGY, 149(2-3), 2000, pp. 143-148
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Pharmacology & Toxicology
Journal title
TOXICOLOGY
ISSN journal
0300483X → ACNP
Volume
149
Issue
2-3
Year of publication
2000
Pages
143 - 148
Database
ISI
SICI code
0300-483X(20000821)149:2-3<143:BMCOWS>2.0.ZU;2-3
Abstract
Although dairy food intake is low among the Navajo people, hip fracture rat es are lower than in Caucasians. Genetic differences in bone density have b een cited as the reasons for low fracture rates among Native Americans and other segments of the population. However, more detailed examination of min eral intakes suggests that environmental factors may provide part of the ex planation for the lower fracture rates. Cultural practices such as the addi tion of ash to traditional foods and the high mineral content of water may provide much higher intakes of bone-related minerals than food intake surve ys have previously reported. As part of a larger study to assess overall in take of minerals related to bone health and other conditions, water samples were collected from the Navajo reservation. Duplicates were collected at l east one week apart from 53 sites including wells, springs, taps, and stora ge barrels and analyzed by atomic absorption and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry for a number of minerals. For average intakes of 2 1/day, wat er could provide up to 212 mg of calcium, 150 mg of magnesium and 8 mg of z inc. The combined contribution of mineral intakes provided by the addition of juniper ash to traditional foods, not genetic differences, may partially explain the lower fracture rates of the Navajo people. Further research in this area is required to confirm this hypothesis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scienc e Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.