A diet containing dense quantities of nutrients [High in vegetables, fruit and whole grains] may reduce the risk for low-trauma fracture, especially in older women. This has been suggested by the  results of a retrospective cohort study reported online November 10 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The study composed of randomly selected, population-based cohort enrolled in the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study, the investigators aimed to determine the association between dietary patterns and incident fracture and to evaluate whether body mass index (BMI), BMD, or falls affected this relationship.

In second year of the study (1997-1999), they used self-administered food frequency questionnaires to evaluate dietary patterns.

The main study endpoint was low-trauma fracture occurring before the 10th annual follow-up in 2005 to 2007.

Two dietary patterns were observed

• Nutrient dense, which emphasized intake of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains
• Energy dense, which had higher intake of soft drinks, potato chips, French fries, meats, and desserts.

Nutrient Dense Pattern was associated with lower rate of fractures occuring as a result of low trauma. These associations were independent of BMI, BMD, falls, and demographic factors.

No associations with fracture were identified for the energy-dense pattern.

Limitations of this study acknowledged by the study authors include

• Lack of assessment of possible intermediate factors such as weight or BMD change
• Limited scope and specified portion size of the food frequency questionnaire
• Underrepresentation of ethnic minorities
• Possible residual confounding.

The Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Merck-Frosst Canada Ltd, Eli Lilly Canada Inc, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Inc, The Alliance for Better Bone Health, Sanofi-Aventis, Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc, The Dairy Farmers of Canada, and The Arthritis Society.

Am J Clin Nutr. Published online November 10, 2010.

Note:

It is time to drop that cola and throw those chips. Healthy eating habits can be cutivated and go long way in protecting our body from the sickness. The new study in fact emphasizes the importance of fruits, vegetables and wholegrains.