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Evidence for an Interaction Between Exercise and Nutrition for Improving Bone and Muscle Health

  • Nutrition, Exercise, and Lifestyle in Osteoporosis (C Weaver and S Ferrari, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Regular exercise and adequate nutrition, particularly dietary calcium, vitamin D, and protein, are prescribed as strategies to optimize peak bone mass and maintain bone and muscle health throughout life. Although the mechanism of action of exercise and nutrition on bone and muscle health are different—exercise has a site-specific modifying effect, whereas nutrition has a permissive generalized effect—there is evidence that combining calcium (or calcium rich dairy foods) or dietary protein with exercise can have a synergetic effect on bone mass and muscle health, respectively. However, many questions still remain as to whether there is a threshold level for these nutrients to optimize the exercise-induced gains. Further studies are also needed to investigate whether other dietary factors, such as vitamin D, soy isoflavones or omega-3 fatty acids, or a multinutrient supplement, can enhance the effects of exercise on bone and muscle health.

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Conflict of Interest

R. M. Daly has received sponsorship from Ostelin and Danone Research; research support from National Health and Medicine Research Council and Meat and Livestock Australia; and payment for the development of educational presentations from Abbott Nutrition, Fonterra, Servier, and Merck Sharpe & Dohme. R. L. Duckham and J. Gianoudis declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

All studies by authors involving animal and/or human subjects were performed after approval by the appropriate institutional review boards. When required, written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

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  1. Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, Australia, 3125

    Robin M. Daly, Rachel L. Duckham & Jenny Gianoudis

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  1. Robin M. Daly
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  2. Rachel L. Duckham
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  3. Jenny Gianoudis
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Correspondence to Robin M. Daly.

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Daly, R.M., Duckham, R.L. & Gianoudis, J. Evidence for an Interaction Between Exercise and Nutrition for Improving Bone and Muscle Health. Curr Osteoporos Rep 12, 219–226 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-014-0207-2

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