Saturated fat may help to prevent osteoporosis

This study was published in Acta Paediatrica 1995 Apr;84(4):388-92

Study title and authors:

Dietary calcium, saturated fat, fiber and vitamin C as predictors of forearm cortical and trabecular bone mineral density in healthy children and adolescents.

Gunnes M, Lehmann EH.

Cecor AS, Haugesund, Norway.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7795347

The study investigated the effects of diet (including saturated fat) on bone mineral density of the forearm in 495 healthy children (8-11 years) and adolescents (11-17 years).

Low bone mineral density in the forearm is associated with an increase in the risk of osteoporosis. A study published in the British Journal of Rheumatology found that all women with a low bone mineral density in the forearm (less than 0.34 g/cm2) developed osteoporosis, whereas only 10% of women with a high bone mineral density in the forearm (above 0.419 g/cm2) had osteoporosis.

This study found that higher levels of saturated fat in both children and adolescents was associated with a higher bone mineral density.

The results of this study suggest that a diet high in saturated fat may help to lower the risk of osteoporosis and the author of the study Dr Magnar Gunnes concludes that dietary recommendations, (to lower saturated fat consumption), especially when aimed at young people, may have to be reconsidered.