Nutrition in bone health revisited: A story beyond calcium

Osteoporosis is a complex, multi-factorial condition characterized by reduc ed bone mass and impaired micro-architectural structure, leading to an incr eased susceptibility to fractures. Although most of the bone strength (incl uding bone mass and quality) is genetically determined, many other factors (nutritional, environmental and life-style) also influence bone. Nutrition is important modifiable factor in the development and maintenance of bone m ass and the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Approximately 80-90% of bone mineral content is comprised of calcium and phosphorus. Other dieta ry components, such as protein, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, fluoride, vi tamins D, A, C, and K are required for normal bone metabolism, while other ingested compounds not usually categorized as nutrients (e.g. caffeine, alc ohol, phytoestrogens) may also impact bone health. Unraveling the interacti on between different factors; nutritional, environmental, life style, and h eredity help us to understand the complexity of the development of osteopor osis and subsequent fractures. This paper reviews the role of dietary compo nents on bone health throughout different stages of life. Each nutrient is discussed separately, however the fact that many nutrients are co-dependent and simultaneously interact with genetic and environmental factors should not be neglected. The complexity of the interactions is probably the reason why there are controversial or inconsistent findings regarding the contrib ution of a single or a group of nutrients in bone health.