Influence on bone metabolism of dietary trace elements, protein, fat, carbohydrates, and vitamins

Osteoporosis is a multifactorial disease driven primarily by the genetic fa ctors that control bone metabolism. Among environmental factors, diet may p lay a key role, affording a target for low-cost intervention. Calcium and v itamin D are well known to affect bone metabolism. Other nutrients may infl uence bone mass changes; for instance, a number of trace elements and vitam ins other than vitamin D are essential to: many of the steps of bone metabo lism. A wide variety of foods provide these nutrients, and in industrialize d countries deficiencies are more often due to idiosyncratic eating habits than to cultural influences. Both culture and vogue influence the amount of carbohydrate, fat, and protein in the typical diet. in children, the curre nt trend is to reduce protein and to increase carbohydrate and fat. Data fr om epidemiological and animal studies suggest that this may adversely affec t bone mass and the fracture risk. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medic ales Elsevier SAS.