Enjoying healthy eating regimen like the Mediterranean diet may help reduce the risk of hip fractures in older women. The study found that women whose diet closely resembled the Mediterranean diet – plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fish – had a 20 percent reduction in hip fractures, compared to women who did not eat in this style.
Although the researchers could not prove cause and effect, they did note that, “these results support the notion that following a healthy dietary pattern may play a role in the maintenance of bone health in postmenopausal women.”
American expert Dr. Michael Hepinstall did agree that diet can play a role in bone health, but said, “The results of this study are not convincing enough to confirm that the Mediterranean diet is best, nor do they suggest that an individual adopting a Mediterranean diet can be confident that they have taken adequate measures to reduce fracture risk.”
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The German researchers examined diet and bone health in over 90,000 healthy American women over the age of 64. The researchers found a slight positive trend in support of the Mediterranean diet, especially with regards to hip bone health, but the diet did not reduce the risk of bone fractures overall.
Additionally, it seemed that even though the Mediterranean diet is low in dairy, this did not contribute to worsened bone health, which is good news for those who cannot consume dairy products.
Aside from proper nutrition, low impact exercises are also beneficial in maintaining healthy bones – which many doctors recommend as a means to promote strong bones. Lastly, taking appropriate safety measures to prevent fractures – for example, decluttering home – can further reduce your risk of bone fractures.
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
