Embracing a Mediterranean diet is a great life choice with numerous health benefits. It can boost cardiovascular health, improve cholesterol levels, and even help reduce risk of certain types of cancers.
New research from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil is now showing how it could hep women up their bone health after going through menopause.
Once a woman hits menopause, her bones can be impacted significantly. She’s much more susceptible to breaks, fractures, and osteoporosis due to the loss of estrogen and diminished bone mineral density.
This recent study looked at 103 women with an average age of 55 an who experienced menopause at 50. They underwent bone mineral density exams, had both body fat and muscle mass calculated, and also completed an extensive food questionnaire.
The women who indicated they adhered to a Mediterranean diet were found to have significantly higher bone mineral density than those who did not, which means their risk for fractures and other serious bone issues was greatly reduced.
Researchers who conducted the study suggest that adopting a Mediterranean diet could be a helpful non-medical strategy to combat osteoporosis and fractures in postmenopausal women.
A Mediterranean diet–named for the coastal countries along the Mediterranean Sea, where it’s common–favors a high intake of fruits, vegetables, grains, potatoes, olive oil, nuts, seeds, fish and moderate consumption of red wine. The diet eschews eating red meat often and high-fat dairy.
If you’re concerned about your bone health and would like a mineral bone density exam, please contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.
(Courtesy of The Endocrine Society)
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