Hormones, nutrients & postmenopausal bone loss
1982
Two studies examine the effects of dietary and hormonal factors on bone loss among postmenopausal women. In the first study, bone mineral content (BMC) was measured in 315 women who had undergone menopause 6 months to 3 years prior to enrollment. Subjects were divided into 7 treatment and 3 placebo groups. Nutrient treatment regimens were: fluoride alone, vitamin D3 alone, fluoride plus vitamin D3, and 1-alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3. Hormonal/drug regimens were: trisequens forte alone, thiazide diuretic alone, and trisequens forte plus the diuretic. All women received 500 mg. additional calcium. The groups receiving fluoride, 1-alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3, vitamin D3 alone and with fluoride had annual rates of BMC loss of 1.8, 1.8, 2.3 and 1.8% respectively. The hormonal treatments resulted in a mean increase in BMC of 2% in the first year and 2.5% for the first 2 years. The second study confirmed the value of hormonal treatment (estrogen/progestagen). Treatment groups had an annual rate of bone accretion of 1.3% while the placebo groups had an annual mineral loss rate of 1.9%. When women in the treatment group were withdrawn from hormonal replacement, BMC decreased 2.3%. Hormone therapy, begun in subjects previously receiving a placebo, resulted in a 1.4% increase in BMC. Study results indicate that the only effective treatment was hormonal. Whether nutritional supplementation would prove beneficial as a preventive measure during the reproductive years remains to be tested. (ds)
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