Plasma Levels of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Are Positively Associated with Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women

by | Jul 12, 2021 | 2021, Bone Health, Omega - 3, Women's Health

Written by Angeline A. De Leon, Staff Writer. Study results suggest that higher levels of plasma n-3 PUFAs may play a key role in maintaining bone health by protecting bone mass and preventing risk of fracture. 

women's healthSeveral key studies indicate a direct link between nutrition and bone health, specifically relating to the dietary intake of fatty acids and total bone mineral density (BMD) 1,2. Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) include α-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docoxahexaenoic acid and derive exclusively from fatty fish, while n-6 PUFAs, linoleic acid and arachidonic acid, are primarily sourced from nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils 3. Research suggests that n-3 PUFAs may promote bone health through a number of processes, including increased uptake of calcium and enhanced bone remodeling (through activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts) 4-6. While there is evidence to support a relationship between greater PUFAs intake and increased BMD and lower fracture risk 7,8, the majority of these studies, being observational, are unable to establish causality, and the roles of other fatty acids remain largely unknown. To help shed light on the relationship between different fatty acids and bone health, a 2021 Nutrients study 9 looked at the association between PUFAs as well as monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and BMD.

A total of 301 healthy postmenopausal women (median age = 59 years) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study in which they underwent full densitometric screening consisting of calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) (performed on heel bone), peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) (on nondominant distal forearm), and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (on lumbar spine and left femoral neck of hip) to determine BMD. Fasting blood samples were also collected and analyzed to determine a total of 17 different fatty acids from which n-3 and n-6 PUFAs, MUFAs, and SFAs profiles were constructed. Correlational analyses were then carried out between BMD indices and plasma fatty acids.

After adjusting for potential confounding variables like body mass index (BMI) and vitamin D and calcium intake, data analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between plasma levels of n-3 PUFAs and BMD in the lumbar spine (r = 0.150, p = 0.014) and BMD in the femoral neck (r = 0.143, p = 0.019). Regression analysis also showed a significant positive association between spinal BMD and plasma total n-3 PUFAs (β = 0.155, p = 0.009). Plasma n-3 PUFAs were seen to positively predict BMD in the femoral neck as well (β = 0.146, p = 0.009). Finally, logistic regression analysis determined that protective factors against low bone mass (T-score ≤ 1) were higher BMI (Odds Ratio = 0.893, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.841 to 0.948, p < 0.001) and higher levels of plasma n-3 PUFAs (OR = 0.751, 95% CI: 0.587 to 0.960, p < 0.022).

Results of the study support a significant relationship between plasma fatty acid profile and bone density in postmenopausal women. More specifically, plasma concentrations of n-3 PUFAs were seen to correlate with measures of BMD in the spine and hip based on DXA. In contrast, the other types of fatty acids measured in the study did not appear to have a significant impact. In line with previous research, data suggest that higher levels of plasma n-3 PUFAs may play a key role in maintaining bone health by protecting bone mass and preventing risk of fracture. Considering the cross-sectional design of the present study, further research is needed to determine cause-effect relationships, and it would be valuable to track the association between plasma fatty acids and BMD over time. The present trial is also limited in the generalizability of its results due to its all-Caucasian population sample, but overall results show strong support for the favorable role of n-3 PUFAs in bone health.

Source: Roncero-Martin R, Aliaga I, Moran JM, et al. Plasma fatty acids and quantitative ultrasound, DXA, and pQCT parameters in postmenopausal Spanish women. Nutrients. 2021; 13: 1454. DOI: 10.3390/nu13051454.

Click here to read the full text study.

Posted July 12, 2021.

Angeline A. De Leon, MA, graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2010, completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a concentration in neuroscience. She received her master’s degree from The Ohio State University in 2013, where she studied clinical neuroscience within an integrative health program. Her specialized area of research involves the complementary use of neuroimaging and neuropsychology-based methodologies to examine how lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and meditation, can influence brain plasticity and enhance overall connectivity.

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