Bone health: biology and nutrition.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Recent findings in the influence of dietary patterns, dairy products, beverages and microbiota composition and function on bone health are reviewed and discussed.

RECENT FINDINGS: Evidence is accumulating on the increased risk of fracture in individuals following a vegan diet. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials indicates a favourable, though of low amplitude, effect of dairy products on bone mass accrual during childhood and adolescence. Though mostly based on results from observational studies, it seems that dairy product consumption, particularly fermented dairy products, is associated with a lower risk of hip fracture. Regular green tea drinkers may have a lower fracture risk than tea abstainers. Magnesium intake is beneficial for bone health. Prune supplements prevents bone loss in untreated postmenopausal women. This seems to be associated with modification of gut microbiota.

SUMMARY: This information should help the medical practitioners facing questions from their patients on how to protect bone health through nutrition.