Patrick Morris, Fortitech01.03.13
Nearly eclipsed in the public eye by health conditions with more visibility, bone and joint conditions are in fact the leading cause of long-term pain and physical disability worldwide. The range of musculoskeletal conditions includes back pain, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and bodily injuries. All together, they place an enormous burden on society, including the personal suffering of those afflicted, as well as the cost of lost productivity, lost wages and treatment. Osteoporosis is a bone disorder primarily seen in the elderly, especially in women, and is currently estimated to affect 44 million people in the U.S., alone. This chronic disease results in loss of bone mineral from the skeleton, which weakens the bone and leads to an increased risk of bone fracture.
While we think of the elderly as the group impacted most by issues surrounding osteoporosis, parents should view bone health as a type of “bank account” for their children’s later lives. Bone is a living tissue that is constantly being lost and replaced by new bone. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, up to 90% of peak bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and age 20 in boys, which makes youth the best time for your kids to “invest” in their bone health. Getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D can help ensure optimal peak bone mass.
In the U.S., consumers are increasingly seeking supplements and functional foods and beverages that promote wellness and have scientific validation. Consumer preference is now turning to foods (up 29%) and beverages (up 11%) fortified with joint-health ingredients, according to Nielsen data. According to market analysis by Frost and Sullivan, the “prominent competitive factors in the United States bone and joint health ingredients market include price, quality, distribution efficiency, ability to provide a point of differentiation through novel ingredient combinations and value-added services that include assistance in product formulation and regulatory support.” Similar analysis abroad shows heightened interest in health promoting foods across much of Europe, in particular.
By far, calcium and vitamin D have been the mainstay ingredients in bone health-promoting products and the subject of considerable scientific research. However, there is growing consumer interest in other ingredients that could promote optimal bone health. These ingredients, shown in the figure below, include magnesium, vitamin K1 and vitamin K2, vitamin C, and possibly some botanical compounds, such as those found in tea or soy.
Other Potential Bone Bioactive Ingredients
Tea
Habitual tea drinking has been associated with higher bone mineral density in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study of a large number of older women (50-75 years of age) in the U.S. Additionally, investigators in Australia found that elderly women tea drinkers had higher bone mineral density than non-tea drinkers, and had lower rates of bone loss from the hip. Animal studies have supported the possible role of green tea extracts in bone metabolism, but no human studies have been reported to date.
Phytoestrogens
Reduction in ovarian function in postmenopausal women leads to an increase in bone resorption and greater rates of bone loss. Isoflavones found in soy act as phytoestrogens and have been reported to protect bone from estrogen deficiency. In a paper published this year, investigators at Purdue University in Indiana found that soy isoflavones could reduce bone resorption in postmenopausal women during a 50-day study. This confirms an early report in which bone turnover was measured in postmenopausal women receiving 110 mg/day soy isoflavone supplement for six months. Positive effects of soy isoflavones on bone resorption only occur in postmenopausal women not taking hormone replacement therapy.
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) concentrations in blood decrease as we age. A new study has assessed the effect of DHEA supplementation (50 mg/day) on bone mineral density in older adults from Missouri that were given calcium and vitamin D supplements during a two-year study. No change in bone mineral density (BMD) was found in older men, but there was a significant increase in BMD in women taking DHEA.
For additional information on nutrients that can aid in bone health, or to request a pre-mix sample, visit the Solutions Starter page at Fortitech.com
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The ideas and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect views held by Nutraceuticals World.
While we think of the elderly as the group impacted most by issues surrounding osteoporosis, parents should view bone health as a type of “bank account” for their children’s later lives. Bone is a living tissue that is constantly being lost and replaced by new bone. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, up to 90% of peak bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and age 20 in boys, which makes youth the best time for your kids to “invest” in their bone health. Getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D can help ensure optimal peak bone mass.
In the U.S., consumers are increasingly seeking supplements and functional foods and beverages that promote wellness and have scientific validation. Consumer preference is now turning to foods (up 29%) and beverages (up 11%) fortified with joint-health ingredients, according to Nielsen data. According to market analysis by Frost and Sullivan, the “prominent competitive factors in the United States bone and joint health ingredients market include price, quality, distribution efficiency, ability to provide a point of differentiation through novel ingredient combinations and value-added services that include assistance in product formulation and regulatory support.” Similar analysis abroad shows heightened interest in health promoting foods across much of Europe, in particular.
By far, calcium and vitamin D have been the mainstay ingredients in bone health-promoting products and the subject of considerable scientific research. However, there is growing consumer interest in other ingredients that could promote optimal bone health. These ingredients, shown in the figure below, include magnesium, vitamin K1 and vitamin K2, vitamin C, and possibly some botanical compounds, such as those found in tea or soy.
Other Potential Bone Bioactive Ingredients
Tea
Habitual tea drinking has been associated with higher bone mineral density in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study of a large number of older women (50-75 years of age) in the U.S. Additionally, investigators in Australia found that elderly women tea drinkers had higher bone mineral density than non-tea drinkers, and had lower rates of bone loss from the hip. Animal studies have supported the possible role of green tea extracts in bone metabolism, but no human studies have been reported to date.
Phytoestrogens
Reduction in ovarian function in postmenopausal women leads to an increase in bone resorption and greater rates of bone loss. Isoflavones found in soy act as phytoestrogens and have been reported to protect bone from estrogen deficiency. In a paper published this year, investigators at Purdue University in Indiana found that soy isoflavones could reduce bone resorption in postmenopausal women during a 50-day study. This confirms an early report in which bone turnover was measured in postmenopausal women receiving 110 mg/day soy isoflavone supplement for six months. Positive effects of soy isoflavones on bone resorption only occur in postmenopausal women not taking hormone replacement therapy.
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) concentrations in blood decrease as we age. A new study has assessed the effect of DHEA supplementation (50 mg/day) on bone mineral density in older adults from Missouri that were given calcium and vitamin D supplements during a two-year study. No change in bone mineral density (BMD) was found in older men, but there was a significant increase in BMD in women taking DHEA.
For additional information on nutrients that can aid in bone health, or to request a pre-mix sample, visit the Solutions Starter page at Fortitech.com
——
The ideas and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect views held by Nutraceuticals World.