Unbalanced diet to lower serum cholesterol level is a risk factor for postmenopausal osteoporosis and distal forearm fracture

The purpose of this study was to assess whether dietary changes aimed at re ducing serum cholesterol can increase the risk of osteoporosis (OP) and fra cture. The study group consisted of 311 postmenopausal women with high seru m cholesterol levels and following a diet low in dairy products (calcium in take estimated at less than 300 mg/day) for 27.3 +/- 29.1 months. This samp le was compared with a case-control group of 622 healthy postmenopausal wom en paired for age and age at menopause and with a calcium intake estimated at more than 1 g/day. Bone mineral density was measured at the lumbar spine by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Prevalence of OP was significantly hi gher in women with a low dairy calcium intake (42.1% vs 22.3%; p <0.0001), as was the number of Colles' fractures occurring after menopause (4.5% vs 1 .6%; p = 0.008). Multiple logistic regression analyses demonstrated that a diet low in dairy calcium was a risk factor for OP (OR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.84- 3.45) and Colies' fracture (OR = 2.72, 959/0 CI 1.18-6.26). In the low dair y calcium group, diet duration significantly influenced the risk of OP (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.01-1.25 for 1 year of diet). No differences in further ris k factors for coronary heart disease were found between the groups, but the proportion of women physically active was lower in the women with high ser um cholesterol levels. A diet that severely limits calcium intake from dair y products in an attempt to correct raised serum cholesterol levels is a ri sk factor for postmenopausal OP and Colies' fracture. Dietary intervention methods to lower serum cholesterol in postmenopausal women should maintain an adequate intake by providing calcium from low-fat dairy products or calc ium supplements.