Osteoporosis: Increased Bone Density Thanks to Fish Oil and Exercise

Physical exercise combined with the intake of Omega 3 fatty acids can increase bone density by up to 19% in postmenopausal women. This was demonstrated by research conducted by scientists from Urmia University (Iran) and the University of Missouri (USA). According to Nutrition and Metabolism, Omega-3 and exercise promote increased bone density as well as a reduction in the expression of molecules associated with inflammatory processes, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-alpha). The researchers concluded that the combination of Omega-3 and aerobic physical activity offers many more benefits than exercise alone or simply taking fatty acid supplements.

Omega-3 and Exercise Against Osteoporosis

Women at risk of osteoporosis are the individuals who could benefit most from this therapeutic combination. Osteoporosis is a condition affecting about 75 million people across Europe, the United States, and Japan, primarily impacting women. In postmenopausal women, female hormones provide less protective action for the bones; therefore, the risk of developing this disorder is higher than in the rest of the population. The loss of bone mass is among the main characteristics of this disease, leading to an increased risk of wrist, hip, and spinal fractures.

Exercise and Omega-3 to Strengthen Bones

The researchers involved 79 postmenopausal women aged between 58 and 78 years. They were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups:

- some women were instructed to take capsules containing 180 milligrams of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120 milligrams of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), totaling 1 gram of Omega-3 daily;

- others did not take any supplements but followed a physical exercise program including walking and jogging three times a week;

- a third group both took the capsules and performed the exercises;

- the control group did not take Omega-3 nor followed any training program.

After 24 weeks from the study start, researchers measured parameters related to bone density and inflammation markers. The bone density of the lumbar spine in women who exercised and took Omega-3 increased by 15%. Likewise, bone density at the femoral neck and hip increased by 19%. This patient group also showed a reduction in IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels, by 40% and 80% respectively. These beneficial effects were not observed in any other groups involved in the study.

Inflammation and Bone Density, Two Associated Parameters

The study authors emphasized that the decrease in inflammation-related molecules correlates with increased bone density. For this reason, they hypothesized that the link between these two parameters lies in the cells responsible for bone formation and regeneration:

- osteoblasts, which strengthen bone by synthesizing the tissue;

- osteoclasts, which destroy bone, weakening it.

This would explain why a decrease in pro-inflammatory molecules leads to increased bone density.    

Source 

1. Tartibian B, Hajizadeh Maleki B, Kanaley J, Sadeghi K, “Long-term aerobic exercise and omega-3 supplementation modulate osteoporosis through inflammatory mechanisms in post-menopausal women: a randomized, repeated measures study”, Nutr Metab (Lond). 2011 Oct 15;8(1):71. [Epub ahead of print]