Omega-3 for osteoporosis: bone protection and reduction of inflammation

Omega 3 for bones: fish oil reduces inflammation and osteoporosis

Omega 3 EPA and DHA from fish oil decrease levels of inflammation and are helpful in improving bone health. They also constitute one of the remedies for osteoporosis associated with aging. This was demonstrated by a study published in the journal Bone, which found that onlyfish oil and borage possess these properties. For the authors of the research, these results indicate that proper nutrition could help prevent osteoporosis in old age.

Fatty acids, enemies-friends of bones

The typical diet of Western countries is characterized by very high levels of fat. These molecules have detrimental effects on the ability of muscles to respond to the action ofinsulin, the hormone that regulates the body's consumption of sugar, and may contribute to bone loss. No study had clarified what the relationship was between fatty acids and the musculoskeletal disorders typical of old age, such asosteoporosis. The research authors analyzed how different types of fats that can be introduced through diet (primarily Omega-3 and Omega-6) affect inflammation and musculoskeletal health during aging.

Omega-3 and osteoporosis: the protective action of fatty acids

The researchers conducted their studies on 2 different strains of mice:

• One in good health;
• the other suffering from progeria, a disease that causes premature aging.

These were used to evaluate the effect of fatty acid intake on complications associated with the passage of years, including osteoporosis. Rats aged 2 months were assigned one of 4 possible dietary regimens:

• standard diet;
• Omega-3 and Omega-6 dietary regimen;
• Borage (Omega-3 gamma-linolenic acid) dietary regimen;
• Fish-based diet (long-chain omega-3).

In all cases the animals were allowed to feed at will.

At the age of 12 months, scientists analyzed bones and the expression of certain markers typical of their cells, muscle and fat masses, and inflammation. The data collected concluded that borage and fish counteract inflammation and bring parameters associated with bone health back to normal.

Omega-3 from fish or Omega-3 from plants?

Although borage and fish enable the same results, these 2 foods do not have the same characteristics. Borage contains Omega-3s in the form of gamma-linolenic acid, while fish oil has high amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), Omega-3s known for their ability to improve the structural and mechanical properties of bones. The Italian Ministry of Health has also included extracts of flowers, leaves and plants with borage flowers among the plant products whose use for the synthesis of dietary supplements is not permitted. In contrast, the use of fish oil in supplement production is regularly permitted.    

Source 

1. Wauquier F, Barquissau V, Léotoing L, Davicco MJ, Lebecque P, Mercier S, Philippe C, Miot-Noirault E, Chardigny JM, Morio B, Wittrant Y, Coxam V, "Borage and fish oils lifelong supplementation decreases inflammation and improves bone health in a murine model of senile osteoporosis," Bone. 2012 Feb;50(2):553-61. Epub 2011 Jun 6