(P11-020-23) Associations Between Major and Trace Minerals Intake and Bone Health in Postmenopausal Women With Osteopenia

Objectives: Some studies have demonstrated the associations between vitamin and mineral intake, such as calcium and vitamin D with bone mineral density (BMD). As for postmenopausal women, the decrease in estrogen levels makes them more susceptible to osteoporosis. This study aimed to assess the associations between major and trace minerals intake with bone turnover markers and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 132 healthy osteopenic postmenopausal women not on hormone therapy and other pharmacological agents known to affect bone were recruited. Anthropometric data were collected to calculate their body mass index (BMI). Overnight fasting blood samples were collected to assess bone turnover biomarkers. BMD was evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Additionally, their dietary intake was collected using a 7-day food frequency questionnaire and analyzed using ESHA’s Food Processor® software. Physical activity levels and patterns were estimated using The Five-City Project Physical Activity Recall. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to determine the associations among their mineral intake, bone turnover markers, and BMD. A P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The BMD of L3 was positively and significantly associated with the intake of Fe (P=0.034), Cu (P=0.036), Zn (P=0.006), F (P=0.014), Mn (P=0.012), and P (P=0.006). Additionally, L4 BMD was positively and significantly associated with Cu (P=0.048), Zn (P=0.003), F(P=0.065), Mn (P=0.01), Na (P=0.047), and P (P=0.022) intakes. Increased Cu intake was also significantly associated with better ultra-distal radius (P=0.039) and total body (P=0.006) BMDs. With respect to femoral neck BMD, Zn and Cu intakes were positively and significantly associated with mean upper neck BMD (P=0.011) and mean lower neck BMD (P=0.009), respectively. No associations were found between mineral intake and bone turnover biomarkers.

Conclusions: Findings from the present study suggest that increasing the intake of certain minerals may be beneficial for bone health in this population. Postmenopausal women should be encouraged to increase their mineral intake through whole foods, such as nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables as they may offer other health benefits as well.

Funding Sources: N/A