FRUIT AND VEGETABLE INTAKE IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH OSTEOPENIA

Abstract

AbstractINTRODUCTION: Adequate intake of fruits and vegetables as part of the daily diet couldhelp prevent major non-communicable diseases including osteoporosis. Some nutrientsabundant in fruits and vegetables have been shown to affect bone health. In the presentstudy we evaluated fruit and vegetable intake in postmenopausal women with osteopeniawho had referred to bone mineral densitometry center of Shariati hospital in Tehran.METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was carried out on 51 healthypostmenopausal women aged 45-60 years. Bone mineral density was measured by DualEnergy X-ray Absorptiometry at lumbar spine and total hip. All women were osteopenicaccording to WHO criteria. Food groups’ intake was assessed by 2 days 24 hour recall.Bone resorption was calculated by measuring carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type Ι collagen(crosslaps) and bone formation by measuring serum osteocalcin.RESULTS: No significant correlation was found for current food groups’ intake and bonemineral density at either lumbar spine or total hip. Fruit and vegetable intake wassignificantly negatively correlated with osteocalcin level (r = -0.4, P< 0.001). Serumosteocalcin level in those who consumed more than 400 grams of fruit and vegetable dailywas significantly lower than in the others (18±6.5 compared with 30±13.7, P<0.05).DISCUSSION: Increasing fruit and vegetable intake up to WHO recommendations forprevention of many chronic diseases can also be effective in prevention of osteoporosis andreducing fracture risk in postmenopausal osteopenic women. Intake of at least 400 grams offruits and vegetables daily can complement what is currently recommended for osteoporosisprevention.Keywords • Fruit and vegetable intake • Osteoporosis • Non-communicable diseases