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Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Their Relation with Bone and Muscle Health in Adults

  • Nutrition and Lifestyle in Osteoporosis (S Ferrari, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Age-related bone and muscle loss are major public health problems. Investigational therapies to reduce these losses include anti-inflammatory dietary supplementations, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Surprisingly, this topic has received little attention in the osteoporosis community. Recent research highlights the role of PUFA in inflammatory regulation of bone remodeling via cellular pathways. Emerging research suggests significant roles for PUFA in reducing bone and muscle loss with aging; however, findings are conflicted for PUFA and fracture risk. Limited studies suggest a relation between higher omega-3 FA and better muscle/bone in older adults. This review highlights new research since 2008 and synthesizes our current understanding of PUFA in relation to bone and muscle. Across study designs, evidence indicates that PUFA has positive effects upon bone. As data are sparse, future clinical trials and prospective studies are important to determine the long term benefits of PUFA supplementation upon bone and muscle outcomes.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the helpful critiques and comments from Virginia Casey from the Musculoskeletal Research Center, Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA; Stephen J. Walsh from the University of Connecticut, Department of Nursing; and Karl L. Insogna from Yale University, Department of Medicine. The authors are supported by National Institutes of Health grants, including AR053205, AR041398 and T32-AG023480.

Conflict of Interest

K.M. Mangano declares that she has no conflicts of interest. S. Sahni has received an institutional research grant from General Mills Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition. J.E. Kerstetter declares that she has no conflicts of interest. A.M. Kenny declares that she has no conflicts of interest. M.T. Hannan has received honoraria as Editor in Chief of Arthritis Care and Research (American College of Rheumatology).

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, 1200 Centre St, Boston, MA, 02131, USA

    Kelsey M. Mangano, Shivani Sahni & Marian T. Hannan

  2. Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 1200 Centre St, Boston, MA, 02131, USA

    Kelsey M. Mangano, Shivani Sahni & Marian T. Hannan

  3. Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 1200 Centre St, Boston, MA, 02131, USA

    Kelsey M. Mangano, Shivani Sahni & Marian T. Hannan

  4. Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Koons Hall, Unit 2101, 358 Mansfield Rd, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA

    Jane E. Kerstetter

  5. Center on Aging, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA

    Anne M. Kenny

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Correspondence to Marian T. Hannan.

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Mangano, K.M., Sahni, S., Kerstetter, J.E. et al. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Their Relation with Bone and Muscle Health in Adults. Curr Osteoporos Rep 11, 203–212 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-013-0149-0

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