栄養学から 骨代謝に関与する食品・栄養素

Osteoporosis is considered to be one of the life style related disease. Therefore, from the viewpoint of osteoporosis prevention, daily diet and nutrient intake are important. A Japanese cohort study showed that low milk (calcium) intake may increase the risk of hip fracture. However, daily calcium intake was about 579 mg/day on average in 1996, which is lower than the dietary allowance for calcium recommended by Japanese government (600 mg/day). Then, we focused on appropriate nutrient that can be modified calcium absorption. Vitamin D is important because age-related vitamin D deficiency lead to malabsorption of calcium. Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to retard bone loss and reduce hip fracture incidence in elderly women. Furthermore, excessive intake of phosphorus presumably leads to bone impairment, life style particularly on food habit depending on retort foods, containing high phosphorus, must be changed. In conclusion, an adequate intake of calcium together with nutrient balance plays an essential role in maintaining and promoting health and preventing osteoporosis.