| aining a proper balance of dietary fats may decrease | | | | mineral density, in the absence of estrogen. |
| the levels of bone loss associated with | | | | Specifically, a 5-to-1 dietary ratio of omega-6 to |
| post-menopausal osteoporosis, according to a recent | | | | omega-3 fatty acids led to a conservation of bone |
| study by scientists at Purdue University and the | | | | mineral content that was not evident with the 10-to-1 |
| Indiana University School of Medicine. | | | | ratio diet. These particular ratios may not have the |
| Estrogen deficiency, which is common in | | | | same affect in humans and a diet of this ratio is not |
| post-menopausal women, is a main contributor to | | | | necessarily recommended. However the research |
| bone loss. Research has found that diets with a low | | | | does show that omega-3 fats are an important part |
| ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids | | | | of a healthy diet. |
| can minimize this. Omega-6 fatty acids are typically | | | | As a nation, the consumption of these fats is still not |
| found in foods such as grains and beef, while | | | | enough, but seems to be increasing. The average |
| omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods such as | | | | American dietary ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty |
| walnuts and salmon. | | | | acids is approximately 10 to 1, a ratio inflated by the |
| Several research studies have shown that omega-3 | | | | types of foods consumed and the methods used to |
| fatty acids help promote bone formation according to | | | | produce these, especially those containing vegetable |
| Bruce Watkins, professor and director of Purdue's | | | | oils. |
| Center for Enhancing Foods to Protect Health. That | | | | Omega-6 fatty acids have been an important part of |
| research also indicates that higher intakes of | | | | most diets but have increased the ratio of omega-6 |
| omega-6 fatty acids lead to an increased production | | | | to omega-3 fatty acids in the past century. This is |
| of compounds associated with bone loss." | | | | due to the reliance on high omega-6 grains like corn |
| The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry discusses a | | | | to feed livestock. Animals, such as cattle naturally |
| current study that assesses bone mineral content | | | | feed on pasture grasses, which have a lower |
| and bone mineral density in female rats. These | | | | omega-6 to omega-3 ratio than grains like corn. The |
| measurements are used as indicators of bone mass | | | | addition of omega-6 fatty acids in today's animal feed |
| and bone strength, respectively. Half the rats in the | | | | incorporate right into the animals' tissues where they |
| study had their ovaries removed, which leads to a | | | | become part of the eggs, poultry, meats and pork |
| rapid drop in estrogen levels. This mimics menopause | | | | served in households and restaurants across the |
| and is the standard model for studying compounds | | | | country. |
| that alleviate osteoporosis, explains Mark Seifert, a | | | | The bone-protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids |
| professor of anatomy and cell biology at the Indiana | | | | may be linked to their previously established role in |
| University School of Medicine and the study's | | | | minimizing inflammation in the body. Inflammation is |
| co-author. He also believes that studies like this will | | | | caused by a number of compounds, including a class |
| help researchers assess drugs or nutraceuticals that | | | | of molecules called cytokines. These compounds also |
| may reduce the bone loss that is induced by | | | | stimulate bone breakdown, a natural part of a body |
| menopause. | | | | process known as the bone cycle. |
| In the study, groups of these rats were fed diets | | | | Bones undergo a process called "remodeling," where |
| containing different ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 | | | | they are continuously broken down and rebuilt. Two |
| polyunsaturated fatty acids. Although both types of | | | | types of cells called resorption cells and bone building |
| fats are essential for human health, diets with a high | | | | cells contribute to this process. The bone resorption |
| ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids | | | | cells remove small portions of bone, while bone |
| are often associated with cancer, cardiovascular | | | | building cells which fill in the gaps. Estrogen blocks |
| disease, and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. | | | | some of the inflammatory compounds associated |
| However, diets with a low ratio of omega-6 to | | | | with bone resorption, which may explain why |
| omega-3 fatty acids are thought to promote | | | | osteoporosis typically progresses after estrogen |
| cardiovascular health, improve memory and prevent | | | | levels fall with the onset of menopause. Previous |
| bone loss. After 12 weeks, rats with the lowest ratio | | | | studies have shown omega-3 fatty acids may reduce |
| of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in their diet | | | | the production of these same inflammatory |
| experienced significantly less bone loss than rats with | | | | compounds, accounting for their bone-protective |
| the higher ratio diets. | | | | effect. Omega-3s change the behavior of cytokines |
| Omega-3 fatty acids are associated with a better | | | | in a way the same way they omega-3s in mitigate |
| blood profile of bone health, and with higher bone | | | | cardiovascular disease. |