High saturated fat consumption and high cholesterol levels are associated with a reduced risk of osteoporotic fractures

This study was published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2007 Sep;61(9):1114-20

Study title and authors:
Dietary fat intake and the risk of osteoporotic fractures in the elderly.

Martínez-Ramírez MJ, Palma S, Martínez-González MA, Delgado-Martínez AD, de la Fuente C, Delgado-Rodríguez M.
Service of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital of Jaén & Division of Medicine, University of Jaén, Navarra, Spain. mamartinez@unav.es

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17299494

The aim of this study was to explore the association between fat intake, cholesterol levels and the risk of osteoporotic fractures in the elderly. (Osteoporotic fractures are defined as fractures associated with low bone mineral density and include clinical spine, forearm, hip and shoulder fractures). The study was a hospital-based case-control study and included 167 patients (aged 65 years or more) with a low-energy fracture and 167 patients without fractures.

The study found:
(a) Those who consumed the most saturated fat (more than 34 grams per day) had a 20% reduced risk of osteoporotic fractures compared with those who consumed the least saturated fat (less than 23 grams per day).
(b) Those who consumed the most polysaturated fat (more than 18 grams per day) had a 488% increased risk of osteoporotic fractures compared with those who consumed the least polysaturated fat (less than 11 grams per day).
(c) Those with the highest cholesterol levels (more than 241 mg/dL or 6.2 mmol/L) had a 6% reduced risk of osteoporotic fractures compared with those with the lowest cholesterol levels (less than 191 mg/dL or 4.9 mmol/L).
(d) Those with the highest levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (more than 62 mg/dL or 1.6 mmol/L) had a 71% reduced risk of osteoporotic fractures compared with those with the lowest levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (less than 45 mg/dL or 1.1 mmol/L).

High saturated fat consumption and high cholesterol levels are associated with a reduced risk of osteoporotic fractures, whereas a high consumption of polysaturated fat was associated with an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures.

Saturated fat may help to prevent osteoporosis

This study was published in Acta Paediatrica 1995 Apr;84(4):388-92

Study title and authors:

Dietary calcium, saturated fat, fiber and vitamin C as predictors of forearm cortical and trabecular bone mineral density in healthy children and adolescents.

Gunnes M, Lehmann EH.

Cecor AS, Haugesund, Norway.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7795347

The study investigated the effects of diet (including saturated fat) on bone mineral density of the forearm in 495 healthy children (8-11 years) and adolescents (11-17 years).

Low bone mineral density in the forearm is associated with an increase in the risk of osteoporosis. A study published in the British Journal of Rheumatology found that all women with a low bone mineral density in the forearm (less than 0.34 g/cm2) developed osteoporosis, whereas only 10% of women with a high bone mineral density in the forearm (above 0.419 g/cm2) had osteoporosis.

This study found that higher levels of saturated fat in both children and adolescents was associated with a higher bone mineral density.

The results of this study suggest that a diet high in saturated fat may help to lower the risk of osteoporosis and the author of the study Dr Magnar Gunnes concludes that dietary recommendations, (to lower saturated fat consumption), especially when aimed at young people, may have to be reconsidered.