Mediterranean Diet Slows Bone Loss in Aging Women

A recent study conducted by researchers from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili and the PREDIMED-Plus consortium has revealed that a three-year lifestyle intervention combining a reduced-calorie Mediterranean diet with increased physical activity can significantly slow age-related bone mineral density loss in older women with metabolic syndrome. This compelling research highlights the potential benefits of dietary and lifestyle modifications for improving bone health.

Background on Bone Health in Aging Women

As individuals age, especially women during menopause and beyond, the risk of osteoporotic fractures increases due to the decline in bone mineral density (BMD). Low BMD is a recognized substantial public health challenge, particularly in the context of rising obesity rates. While dieting is commonly suggested for managing obesity-related conditions, it frequently incurs a reduction in BMD, raising concerns over skeletal health.

Study Overview

The study titled "Mediterranean Diet, Physical Activity, and Bone Health in Older Adults" was published in JAMA Network Open and included an analysis of the broader PREDIMED-Plus trial. This trial was a multicenter, parallel-group randomized clinical study conducted over three years at 23 sites across Spain.

In this particular analysis, 924 adults aged 55 to 75 years were selected, with participants randomized into two groups:

• **Intervention Group**: Followed a hypocaloric Mediterranean diet (30% energy reduction) and incorporated increased physical activity along with behavioral support.
• **Control Group**: Maintained an unrestricted Mediterranean diet with no additional focus on physical activity.

Methodology

Bone mineral density was evaluated at the total femur, lumbar spine (L1–L4), and femoral trochanter at baseline, one year, and three years. The researchers utilized various statistical models, including two-level linear and logistic mixed models, to ascertain the differences in BMD between the intervention and control groups.

Key Findings

Overall, no significant intervention effects were observed for total bone mineral content. However, considerable benefits were reported specifically in lumbar spine bone mineral density:

The findings indicated that, although the overall population did not demonstrate benefits in total bone mineral content, the lumbar spine BMD improvements were statistically significant, especially among women in the intervention group.

Conclusion and Implications

The implications of this study suggest that lifestyle interventions based on a reduced-calorie Mediterranean diet, coupled with exercise, can serve as a viable approach to mitigate bone density decline in women experiencing age-related changes. The authors assert that such approaches can help maintain bone health amidst the challenges posed by weight loss.

“These findings support the use of weight-loss lifestyle interventions based on an energy-reduced Mediterranean diet and physical activity to preserve skeletal health in older women at risk of bone disturbances.” – Héctor Vázquez-Lorente, Lead Author.

Future Research Directions

Moving forward, further research is needed to determine the long-term impacts of dietary modifications and physical exercise on bone health in diverse populations and to explore:

• Longitudinal effects on bone density across various age groups.
• The role of additional supplements, such as calcium and vitamin D, in conjunction with lifestyle interventions.
• Potential differences in responses between genders and body compositions.

References

[1] Vázquez-Lorente, H., et al. (2025). Mediterranean Diet, Physical Activity, and Bone Health in Older Adults, JAMA Network Open.

[2] “Mediterranean diet and exercise may slow bone loss in aging women” (2025, April 14) retrieved from Medical Xpress.