This week on the Olive Health Information System website
The newsletter of the University of Navarra and the IOC dedicated to health
Osteoporosis and the fractures associated with it are important public health issues.
Many studies have suggested links between fractures and cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or stroke. In this context, lifestyle-related risk factors, such as physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet, can also significantly influence the risk of fractures. Adhering to the Mediterranean diet (MD) has been linked to increased bone mass and improved bone density, along with a lower occurrence of frailty fractures. In a recent meta-analysis, the impact of adherence to the MD on the risk of hip fractures was evaluated. The results indicated that both high and moderate adherence to the MD were linked to a lower risk of hip fractures. This association was consistent across both men and women. Additionally, the relationship showed a linear dose-response relationship, with each one-point increase in adherence corresponding to a 5.25% decrease in hip fracture risk. These findings support the promotion of the MD enriched with extra virgin olive oil for enhancing bone health.
The MD has also shown a positive impact on the prevention of type 2 diabetes, particularly in Mediterranean and European populations. However, it is still unclear whether these benefits apply to non-Mediterranean populations. In a cohort study involving 12,575 participants without diabetes at baseline, drawn from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), researchers identified an inverse relationship between the MD and the onset of diabetes. Furthermore, this study found that higher intake of fruits, fish, and nuts was significantly associated with a lower risk of developing diabetes. These results provide evidence that the advantages of a MD may also extend to populations outside the Mediterranean region.
Other articles mentioned this week in the OHIS newsletter:
Olive oil
Mediterranean Diet
Adherence to Mediterranean diet and female urinary incontinence: Evidence from the NHANES database.
Pregnancy
Dietary patterns during pregnancy in relation to maternal dietary intake: The Mutaba’ah Study.
Bone health
Nutrition and Osteoporosis Prevention
Mediterranean Diet and Risk of Hip Fracture: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis.
Cognitive and mental health
Associations of Microbiota and Nutrition with Cognitive Impairment in Diseases.
Cardiometabolic health
Mediterranean diet lowers risk of new-onset diabetes: a nationwide cohort study in China.
Cancer
Cancers attributable to diet in Italy.
Dietary patterns
Healthy and unhealthy dietary patterns and sperm quality from the Led-Fertyl study.
Nutritional interventions