Intake of olive oil helps in protecting bones says Spanish study

Spanish study suggests that Mediterranean style diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables and is supplemented with olive oil may have a protective effect on the bones. 

Both men and women are affected by age-related bone mass loss and the decreased bone strength. These are the important factors of the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.  

The studies have shown that the incidence of osteoporosis in Europe is lower in the Mediterranean basin.  

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reports state, the traditional Mediterranean diet and high intake of olives and olive oil could be one of the factors underlying the difference. 

Jose Manuel Fernandez-Real from Hospital Dr. Josep Trueta in Girona, Spain, who led the study said, “The intake of olive oil has been related to the prevention of osteoporosis in experimental and in vitro (lab) models.”   

Mr. Fernandez Real also said, “This is the first randomized study which demonstrates that olive oil preserves bone, at least as inferred by circulating bone markers, in humans.”  

The participants who were a part of the study were a 127 community-dwelling men in the age group of 55 to 80 years. They were selected randomly from one of the Prevencion con Dieta Mediterranea study centres who had at least 2 years of follow-up.  

The study is a large, parallel group, randomized, controlled trial aimed to assess the effect of the Mediterranean diet on preventing cardiovascular diseases.