Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish and plant foods (flaxseeds and walnuts) can lower the risk of heart disease, inflammation, obesity and other chronic diseases. Previous studies suggest that fish-derived omega 3s can improve bone health. Now research reports that plant-derived omega 3s also improve bone health.
The study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, investigated the effects of dietary plant-derived omega 3 fatty acids on bone health. Researchers at Penn State administered three consecutive diets to 23 adults, for 24 weeks. For the first six weeks, the participants were assigned either a diet high in omega 3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a diet high in omega-6 linoleic acid (LA) or an average American diet. The omega 3 ALA diet included walnuts and flaxseed oil and the omega 6 LA diet included walnuts for half of the fat. This was followed by a three week period where the participants resumed their regular diets. The participants were then assigned to one of the diets they had not previously followed for another six weeks. This was followed again by a three week period where the participants resumed their regular diets. The participants were then assigned to the remaining diet for the final six weeks. Blood tests for bone formation (bone-specific alkaline phosphatases) and bone resorption (N-telopeptides) were obtained from the participants.
The researchers found that the diet high in omega 3 ALA significantly lowered N-telopeptides levels, compared to the average American diet. This result indicated that less bone was being resorbed during the omega 3 ALA diet. The diet high in omega 6 LA also lowered N-telopeptides levels, although not as significantly. The three diets did not affect bone-specific alkaline phosphatases levels, indicating that the same amount of bone was being created.
"The results indicate that plant sources of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may have a protective effect on bone metabolism via a decrease in bone resorption in the presence of consistent levels of bone formation," the study authors conclude.
REFERENCES:
1. Griel AE et al. An increase in dietary n-3 fatty acids decreases a marker of bone resorption in humans. Nutr J. 2007 Jan 16;6:2.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on February 28, 2007 01:32 PM
