Diet and Exercise: a Match Made in Bone

• Published in: Current osteoporosis reports 2017-12, Vol.15 (6), p.555-563
• Main Authors: Willems, Hubertine M.E., van den Heuvel, Ellen G.H.M., Schoemaker, Ruud J.W., Klein-Nulend, Jenneke, Bakker, Astrid D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bone and Bones - metabolism; Bone and Bones - physiology; Bone Density - physiology; Calcitriol; Diet; Epidemiology; Estrogen Receptor alpha - metabolism; Exercise - physiology; Genistein; Humans; Mechanotransduction, Cellular; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Orthopedics; Osteoblasts - metabolism; Osteoblasts - physiology; Osteoclasts - metabolism; Osteoclasts - physiology; Osteocytes (T Bellido and J Klein-Nulend; Osteocytes (T Bellido and J Klein-Nulend, Section Editors); Osteocytes - metabolism; Osteocytes - physiology; Receptors, Calcitriol - metabolism; Resistance Training; Section Editors; Signal Transduction; Topical Collection on Osteocytes; Vitamin K; Weight-Bearing - physiology
• ISSN: 1544-1873; 1544-2241
• DOI: 10.1007/s11914-017-0406-8

Purpose of Review Multiple dietary components have the potential to positively affect bone mineral density in early life and reduce loss of bone mass with aging. In addition, regular weight-bearing physical activity has a strong positive effect on bone through activation of osteocyte signaling. We will explore possible synergistic effects of dietary components and mechanical stimuli for bone health by identifying dietary components that have the potential to alter the response of osteocytes to mechanical loading. Recent Findings Several (sub)cellular aspects of osteocytes determine their signaling towards osteoblasts and osteoclasts in response to mechanical stimuli, such as the osteocyte cytoskeleton, estrogen receptor α, the vitamin D receptor, and the architecture of the lacunocanalicular system. Potential modulators of these features include 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D 3 , several forms of vitamin K, and the phytoestrogen genistein. Summary Multiple dietary components potentially affect osteocyte function and therefore may have a synergistic effect on bone health when combined with a regime of physical activity.