Combined Regimen of Exercise & Healthy Fats Boosts Bone Health

Previous studies have suggested that dietary fats and physical activity influence bone health. B. Tartibian, from Urmia University (Iran), and colleagues enrolled 79 healthy post-menopausal women, assigning them to one of four groups: group 1 was the control (no supplements or exercise); group 2 engaged in aerobic exercise (walking and jogging, achieving up to 65% of maximum heart rate); group 3 received a daily supplement of 1000 mg omega-3 (as 180 mg EPA/120 mg DHA); and group 4 received both the supplement and engaged in aerobic activity. After 24 weeks, the team found that the combined omega-3/exercise group displayed bone mineral density (BMD) increases of 15% in the lower back, and 19% in the thigh bone at the hip. As well, inflammatory markers among the combined omega-3/exercise group improved: levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) were reduced by 40%, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) decreased by 80%.  The study authors submit that: “The present study demonstrates that long-term aerobic exercise training plus [omega-3] supplementation have a synergistic effect in attenuating inflammation and augmenting [bone mineral density] in post-menopausal osteoporosis.”