The association between dietary omega-3 intake and osteoporosis: a NHANES cross-sectional study

BackgroundRecent research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may play a role in bone metabolism through their influence on bone mineral density (BMD) and the regulation of bone turnover markers. However, epidemiological evidence linking omega-3 intake to the risk of developing osteoporosis is still e...

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Main Authors: Zhiwen Liu, Shaoming Cai, Yuzhen Chen, Zijing Peng, Huanling Jian, Zhihai Zhang, Hongxing Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1467559/full
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author Zhiwen Liu
Shaoming Cai
Yuzhen Chen
Zijing Peng
Huanling Jian
Zhihai Zhang
Hongxing Huang
author_facet Zhiwen Liu
Shaoming Cai
Yuzhen Chen
Zijing Peng
Huanling Jian
Zhihai Zhang
Hongxing Huang
author_sort Zhiwen Liu
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundRecent research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may play a role in bone metabolism through their influence on bone mineral density (BMD) and the regulation of bone turnover markers. However, epidemiological evidence linking omega-3 intake to the risk of developing osteoporosis is still emerging and remains inconclusive. This study aims to clarify the role of dietary omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of osteoporosis.MethodsWe analyzed data from 8,889 participants categorized into normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups based on their BMD scores from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We measured dietary omega-3 intake using two 24-h dietary recall interviews. Dietary omega-3 intake was quantified and divided into quartiles. Multivariate logistic regression and subgroup analysis were used to explore the correlation between dietary omega-3 intake and osteoporosis. The dose–response relationship between the two was analyzed with a restricted cubic spline (RCS).ResultsHigher dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids was inversely associated with the risk of osteoporosis. Participants in the highest quartile of omega-3 intake had a significantly lower risk (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53–0.93) compared to those in the lowest quartile, with a consistent trend across all adjusted models (p for trend <0.05). Subgroup analyses indicated stronger associations in individuals under 60 years of age, female and non-smokers. In individuals aged under 60, higher omega-3 intake was associated with significantly reduced osteoporosis risk (OR = 0.51, 95%CI: 0.26–0.95), females showed a protective effect of high omega-3 intake against osteoporosis (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.49–0.87). Among non-smokers, higher omega-3 intake was associated with a lower risk of osteoporosis (OR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.45–0.90), whereas in smokers, the association was not evident (OR = 0.91, 95%CI: 0.55–1.52). No significant associations were found in older participants or smokers. Intake of omega-3 and osteoporosis were linearly related (p for nonlinear = 0.366).ConclusionThis study demonstrates a significant inverse relationship between dietary omega-3 fatty acid intake and osteoporosis risk, suggesting omega-3 s play a crucial role in bone health. However, further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings and refine dietary recommendations for osteoporosis prevention.
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spelling doaj-art-a2b24468d65741f48605f6ef502b87be2025-01-10T04:10:58ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-01-011110.3389/fnut.2024.14675591467559The association between dietary omega-3 intake and osteoporosis: a NHANES cross-sectional studyZhiwen Liu0Shaoming Cai1Yuzhen Chen2Zijing Peng3Huanling Jian4Zhihai Zhang5Hongxing Huang6The Third Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Third Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Third Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Third Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaBackgroundRecent research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may play a role in bone metabolism through their influence on bone mineral density (BMD) and the regulation of bone turnover markers. However, epidemiological evidence linking omega-3 intake to the risk of developing osteoporosis is still emerging and remains inconclusive. This study aims to clarify the role of dietary omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of osteoporosis.MethodsWe analyzed data from 8,889 participants categorized into normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups based on their BMD scores from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We measured dietary omega-3 intake using two 24-h dietary recall interviews. Dietary omega-3 intake was quantified and divided into quartiles. Multivariate logistic regression and subgroup analysis were used to explore the correlation between dietary omega-3 intake and osteoporosis. The dose–response relationship between the two was analyzed with a restricted cubic spline (RCS).ResultsHigher dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids was inversely associated with the risk of osteoporosis. Participants in the highest quartile of omega-3 intake had a significantly lower risk (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53–0.93) compared to those in the lowest quartile, with a consistent trend across all adjusted models (p for trend <0.05). Subgroup analyses indicated stronger associations in individuals under 60 years of age, female and non-smokers. In individuals aged under 60, higher omega-3 intake was associated with significantly reduced osteoporosis risk (OR = 0.51, 95%CI: 0.26–0.95), females showed a protective effect of high omega-3 intake against osteoporosis (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.49–0.87). Among non-smokers, higher omega-3 intake was associated with a lower risk of osteoporosis (OR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.45–0.90), whereas in smokers, the association was not evident (OR = 0.91, 95%CI: 0.55–1.52). No significant associations were found in older participants or smokers. Intake of omega-3 and osteoporosis were linearly related (p for nonlinear = 0.366).ConclusionThis study demonstrates a significant inverse relationship between dietary omega-3 fatty acid intake and osteoporosis risk, suggesting omega-3 s play a crucial role in bone health. However, further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings and refine dietary recommendations for osteoporosis prevention.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1467559/fulldietary omega-3 intakebone mineral densityosteoporosisNHANESrisk factor
spellingShingle Zhiwen Liu
Shaoming Cai
Yuzhen Chen
Zijing Peng
Huanling Jian
Zhihai Zhang
Hongxing Huang
The association between dietary omega-3 intake and osteoporosis: a NHANES cross-sectional study
Frontiers in Nutrition
dietary omega-3 intake
bone mineral density
osteoporosis
NHANES
risk factor
title The association between dietary omega-3 intake and osteoporosis: a NHANES cross-sectional study
title_full The association between dietary omega-3 intake and osteoporosis: a NHANES cross-sectional study
title_fullStr The association between dietary omega-3 intake and osteoporosis: a NHANES cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed The association between dietary omega-3 intake and osteoporosis: a NHANES cross-sectional study
title_short The association between dietary omega-3 intake and osteoporosis: a NHANES cross-sectional study
title_sort association between dietary omega 3 intake and osteoporosis a nhanes cross sectional study
topic dietary omega-3 intake
bone mineral density
osteoporosis
NHANES
risk factor
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1467559/full
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