Blend of Vitamins and Essential Fatty-acids May Increase Bone Density

Osteoporosis is a major affliction that affects 44 million Americans and is characterized by low bone mass. Researchers have discovered that a supplement containing a combination of the soy isoflavone genistein, omega-3 essential fatty-acids, and vitamins D3 and K1 may increase bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

The researchers are with Creighton University and DSM Nutritional Products. Their study was published online ahead of print on February 3, 2012, in the European Journal of Nutrition

70 women with an average age of 55 were recruited for the study. The women received either a supplement blend or a placebo for 6 months. The supplement contained 30 milligrams of genistein, 800 IU of vitamin D3, 150 micrograms of vitamin K1, and one gram of omega-3 polyunsaturated essential fatty-acids. The omega-3s contained EPA essential fatty-acids and DHA essential fatty-acids with a ratio of 2 to 1.

At the conclusion of the study, the supplement group showed a 0.1% maintenance in bone mineral density (BMD) in the femoral neck, whereas the placebo group showed a decrease in BMD of 1.2%. Additionally, the supplement group had a 2.3% increase in BMD at the Ward's triangle part of the hip bone, with the placebo group showing a 1.1% decrease.

Other biomarkers of bone health, including alkaline phosphatase and N-telopeptide, increased in the supplement group when compared to levels at the onset of the study. The supplement group also saw higher levels at the conclusion of the study compared to the placebo group.

Osteoporosis affects 4 times as many women as men, however it is an affliction that can strike either gender. In addition to the nutrients listed here, calcium, vitamin K2 and ashwaganda extract have been shown to improve bone health. All of these nutrients are difficult to obtain through diet alone but a daily high quality supplement can boost your blood levels and potentially help reduce the risk of fractures.