Parathyroid hormone is associated with decreased fat mass in young healthy women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of parathyroid hormone (PTH) with dietary calcium and changes in body composition. DESIGN: Cross-sectional and 1-year longitudinal trial. SUBJECTS: Normal-weight young women (age: 18-31), 155 subjects analyzed at baseline, and data for 41 subjects analyzed prospectively between baseline and 12 months. MEASUREMENTS: Levels of fasting serum calcium and PTH, intakes of calcium (3-day diet records), and total body weight and body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry). RESULTS: Baseline dietary calcium, regardless of whether unadjusted or adjusted for energy intake, did not predict baseline levels of fasting serum PTH. Change in dietary calcium also did not predict change in serum PTH. However, log PTH was significantly correlated with body fat mass (R = 0.27), but not lean mass at baseline (n = 155), independent of serum calcium (corrected R = 0.25). Further, 12-month changes (n = 41) in log PTH positively predicted the 12-month change in body weight (R = 0.32) and body fat (R = 0.32), but not lean mass even when controlled for age or change in serum calcium. CONCLUSION: Fasting serum PTH was associated with increased fat mass, in both cross-sectional and prospective analysis. Thus, serum PTH may play a role in the regulation of body fat mass in young women.

Peak spine and femoral neck bone mass in young women.

Achievement of higher peak bone mass early in life may play a critical role against postmenopausal bone loss. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine, femoral neck, greater trochanter, Ward's triangle, and spine bone mineral content (BMC) and bone surface area (BSA) were assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in 300 healthy females (age 6-32 years). Bone measurements were described by using nonlinear models with age, weight, height, or dietary calcium intake as the explanatory variables. At the spine, femoral neck, greater trochanter, and Ward's triangle, the highest BMD level was observed at 23.0 +/- 1.4, 18.5 +/- 1.6, 14.2 +/- 2.0, and 15.8 +/- 2.1 years, respectively. The age of attaining peak spine BMC and BSA cannot be estimated, as significant increases in these two measures were observed through this age group. Age, weight, and height were all significant predictors of all these bone measurements. Weight was a stronger predictor than age for all sites. Dietary calcium intake was not a significant predictor for any of these bone measurements. We conclude that age of attaining peak bone mass at the hip is younger than at the spine, and BMC and BSA at the spine continue to increase through the early thirties in females.

Impact of exercise on bone health and contraindication of oral contraceptive use in young women.

PURPOSE: The effect of quantified resistance and high impact exercise training on bone mass as modified by age and oral contraceptive (OCont) use in young women was studied. METHODS: Women were categorized by age (18-23 vs 24-31 yr) and OCont use, and were then randomized into either three sessions of resistance exercise plus 60 min.wk-1 of jumping rope or a control group for 24 months. Total body, spine, femoral neck, greater trochanter, Ward's area, and radial bone mineral density (BMD) and/or content (BMC), biochemical markers of bone turnover, dietary intake of calcium, lean body mass, maximal oxygen uptake, and strength were determined at baseline and every 6 months. RESULTS: Total body (TB) BMC percent change from baseline was higher in exercisers compared with nonexercisers at 6 and 24 months. OCont users had lower bone turnover at baseline and a decrease in TBBMC from baseline compared with non-OCont users at 24 months. Spine BMC and BMD decreased in the exercise and OCont group at 6 months and remained significantly below nonexercisers who used oral contraceptives at 2 yr. Femoral neck BMD also decreased in the exercise and oral contraceptive group at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise prevented a decline in TBBMC seen in the nonexercisers. On the other hand, exercise in oral contraceptive users prevented the increase observed in the spine of the nonexercise plus OCont group.

Dairy calcium is related to changes in body composition during a two-year exercise intervention in young women.

OBJECTIVE: Relationships between micronutrients and dairy product intake and changes in body weight and composition over two years were investigated. DESIGN: Two year prospective non-concurrent analysis of the effect of calcium intake on changes in body composition during a two year exercise intervention. SUBJECTS: 54 normal weight young women, 18 to 31 years of age. MEASURES OF OUTCOME: Mean intakes of nutrients of interest were determined from three-day diet records completed at baseline and every six months for two years. The change in total body weight and body composition (assessed by dual x-ray absorptiometry) from baseline to two years was also determined. RESULTS: Total calcium/kilocalories and vitamin A together predicted (negatively and positively, respectively) changes in body weight (R2 = 0.19) and body fat (R2 = 0.27). Further, there was an interaction of calcium and energy intake in predicting changes in body weight, such that, only at lower energy intakes, calcium intake (not adjusted for energy) predicted changes in body weight. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of exercise group assignment, calcium adjusted for energy intake had a negative relationship and vitamin A intake a positive relationship with two year changes in total body weight and body fat in young women aged 18 to 31 years. Thus, subjects with high calcium intake, corrected by total energy intake, and lower vitamin A intake gained less weight and body fat over two years in this randomized exercise intervention trial.

Previous milk consumption is associated with greater bone density in young women.

BACKGROUND: Dietary calcium and milk intakes at specific ages may influence bone mineral measures at specific sites during development of peak bone mass. OBJECTIVE: Relations of previous milk intake and current calcium intake to current bone mineral measures were investigated in young women. DESIGN: A food-frequency interview and recall of previous milk intake from early childhood to 12 y of age and during adolescence (13-19 y) were completed in a cross-sectional analysis in young women (age 18-31 y; n = 224). Three levels of previous milk intake were defined: 1) infrequently or never, 2) sometimes, and 3) at every or almost every meal. Total body (TB), femoral neck, radius (R), and spine (S) bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were determined by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Childhood and adolescent milk intakes were positively correlated (r = 0.66). Childhood and adolescent milk intakes correlated with current calcium intakes (r = 0.26 and 0.33, respectively). Adolescent milk intake correlated with RBMD (r = 0.16). When weight was controlled for, adolescent milk intake correlated with TBBMD (r = 0.16), TBBMC (r = 0.21), SBMC (r = 0.16), RBMD (r = 0.18), and RBMC (r = 0.15). Current calcium intakes correlated with SBMC (r = 0.17). Regression analyses supported these results. CONCLUSIONS: Results were consistent with the hypothesis that higher milk intake during adolescence is associated with greater total body, spine, and radial bone mineral measures during development of peak bone mass, whereas current calcium intakes may influence SBMC. In addition, milk intake at a younger age may contribute to similar habits of milk intake later in life.

Dietary calcium, protein, and phosphorus are related to bone mineral density and content in young women.

BACKGROUND: Dietary factors have been implicated in modifying bone health, although the results remain controversial, particularly in young women. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine relations of selected dietary factors and anthropometric measurements to bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine, femoral neck, trochanter, Ward's triangle, radius, and total body and the bone mineral content (BMC) of the spine, radius, and total body. DESIGN: The study was a cross-sectional analysis of 215 women aged 18-31 y. RESULTS: Weight, height, and lean mass were correlated with bone mineral measures at every site (r = 0.17-0.78). Postmenarcheal age (years since onset of menses) was positively correlated with total-body BMD and BMC, radius BMD and BMC, and spine BMC, and negatively correlated with Ward's triangle BMD. Radius BMD was correlated with protein, calcium, and phosphorus intakes, and spine BMD and BMC were correlated with energy, protein, calcium, and phosphorus intakes. These correlations remained significant when postmenarcheal age, lean mass, and fat mass were controlled. A pattern emerged in multiple regression analyses that showed a complex relation among calcium, protein or phosphorus, and the calcium-protein or calcium-phosphorus ratio and spine or total-body BMC and BMD. All 3 variables (calcium, protein or phosphorus, and calcium-protein or calcium-phosphorus ratio) were required in the model for significance. CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometric measures were predictors of bone mass. A single ratio of calcium to phosphorus or protein did not optimize bone mass across the range of calcium intakes.

Previous physical activity relates to bone mineral measures in young women.

Exercise may increase accretion of bone, potentially reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Previous physical activity was assessed in 204 minimally active young women (18-31 yr). Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) for the total body, femoral neck, and spine were assessed by a dual x-ray absorptiometer, and the radius by a single photon absorptiometer. Self-reported occupation and leisure activity for the 5 yr before enrollment in the study, as well as high school and college sports participation, were assigned energy expenditure (EE) values. From this information, EE variables were created as follows: 1) occupation EE + leisure EE + high school sport and/or college sport EE if within prior 5 yr (5-yr EE); 2) occupation EE + leisure EE (occupation + leisure EE); and 3) high school sport EE (high school EE). These variables were correlated with bone mineral measures and significant results follow (P < 0.05). Five-year EE and occupation + leisure EE correlated with all measures of bone health (r from 0.13 to 0.39). High school EE correlated with total body BMD (r = 0.25) and BMC (r = 0.28), femoral neck BMD (r = 0.28), radius BMC (r = 0.20), as well as spine BMD (r = 0.20) and BMC (r = 0.27). When weight was controlled, 5-yr EE and occupation + leisure EE remained correlated with all BMC measures (r from 0.14 to 0.22). When controlled for weight, high school EE remained associated with femoral neck BMD (r = 0.24), total body BMD (r = 0.20) and BMC (r = 0.26), and spine BMC (r = 0.17). To partially control for selection bias, data were also controlled for total body BMD. Five-year EE and occupation + leisure EE remained positively correlated with all measures of BMC. High school EE remained correlated both with femoral neck BMD and total body BMC. In multiple regression analyses, 5-yr EE or occupation + leisure EE were significant predictors of all measures of bone health, except femoral neck BMD. High school EE was a significant predictor for total body BMD and BMC, femoral neck BMD, and spine BMC.

Effects of long-term moderate exercise on iron status in young women.

The impact of long-term (6-month) moderate exercise on the iron status of previously sedentary women was determined by randomly assigning 62 college-age women into one of the following four groups: 1) 50 mg.d-1 iron supplement, low iron diet (N = 16); 2) Placebo, free choice diet (N = 13); 3) Meat supplement to achieve 15 mg.d-1 iron intake (N = 13); and 4) Control, free choice diet (N = 20). All groups except the Control group exercised 3 d.wk-1 at 60%-75% of their heart rate reserve. VO2max was measured at baseline and week 24. Blood was sampled at baseline and every 4 wk thereafter for 24 wk to measure iron status and to elucidate the causes for alterations in iron status. Subjects had depleted iron stores throughout the study as indicated by their serum ferritin levels (< 15 ng.ml-1). Serum iron, total iron binding capacity and transferrin saturation were not compromised with exercise. Mean hemoglobin level in the Placebo/Ex group was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the 50 Fe/Ex and the Meat/Ex groups by week 24. However, changes in serum albumin, haptoglobin, and erythropoietin data from the study cannot explain these changes.

Peak bone mass in young women.

Increasing peak bone mineral density (BMD) or content (BMC) in young women may help to reduce the incidence of osteoporosis. Identifying the age when peak bone content or density is attained is essential to develop strategies aimed at optimizing peak BMD and BMC. Total body bone mineral density (TBBMD) and content (TBBMC) were measured by a dual X-ray absorptiometer in healthy females (n = 247, aged 11-32 years). TBBMD and TBBMC were modeled separately as a nonlinear function of age. By age 22.1 +/- 2.5 years, 99% of peak BMD is attained, and by age 26.2 +/- 3.7 years, 99% of peak BMC is attained. Nonlinear relationships between weight and TBBMD or TBBMC were also modeled. In this model, the influence of several parameters, including age, weight, and height, on BMC and BMD were simultaneously assessed. A model with age and weight described the best fit for TBBMD, whereas age, weight, and height described the best fit for total body TBBMC.

Loneliness, emotional repression, marital quality, and major life events in women who develop breast cancer.

Women awaiting mammograms at a breast clinic were given questionnaires to investigate the role of psychosocial variables in the development of breast cancer while controlling for established breast cancer risk factors. Questionnaires to determine loneliness, emotional repression, marital quality, and major life changes were completed by 826 female volunteers who were later classified into groups according to their diagnoses. The total emotional repression score showed a hierarchy of most repression to least repression for the most-diseased to the most-healthy subjects. A breakdown of the emotional repression scale revealed that each group was significantly different from the other in suppression of anger and unhappiness. Women in the new cancer group showed significantly more loneliness than the women in the fibrocystic and normal groups. The newly diagnosed cancer group also had a higher proportion of women who experienced the death of a spouse or close family member within the past two years compared to the other groups.

The effects of aerobic and anaerobic exercise conditioning on resting metabolic rate and the thermic effect of a meal.

This study examined resting metabolic rate (RMR) and thermic effect of a meal (TEM) among athletes who had participated in long-term anaerobic or aerobic exercise. Nine collegiate wrestlers were matched for age, weight, and fat-free weight with 9 collegiate swimmers. Preliminary testing included maximal oxygen consumption, maximal anaerobic capacity (MAnC) for both the arms and the legs, and percent body fat. On two separate occasions, RMR and TEM were measured using indirect calorimetry. VO2max was significantly higher in the swimmers while MAnC was significantly higher in the wrestlers for both the arms and the legs. RMR adjusted for fat-free weight was not significantly different between groups. The differences in total and percentage of TEM between the groups were not statistically significant, and there were no differences in baseline thyroid hormones. These data suggest that despite significant differences in VO2max and WAnT values following long-term aerobic and anaerobic exercise training, resting energy expenditure does not differ between these college athletes.

Iron status in exercising women: the effect of oral iron therapy vs increased consumption of muscle foods.

Forty-seven previously sedentary women participating in a 12-wk moderate aerobic-exercise program were randomly assigned to one of four dietary groups: 50-mg/d iron supplement and a low food-iron diet (50 FE + EX), 10-mg/d iron supplement and a low food-iron diet (10 FE + EX), placebo and unrestricted diet (P + EX), and meat supplement and high food-iron diet (M + EX). A sedentary control group (n = 13) received no dietary interventions. Hematocrit, total iron-binding capacity, and hemoglobin, serum iron, serum ferritin, and serum albumin concentrations were measured every 4 wk. Hemoglobin values decreased at the end of 4 wk in all exercising groups compared with the control group. Iron status in the 50 FE + EX and M + EX groups improved after week 4 as indicated by an increase in serum ferritin, serum iron, and hemoglobin concentrations, and a decline in total iron-binding capacity. Thus, short-term, moderate aerobic exercise resulted in compromised iron status that was offset to varying degrees by ingesting iron or meat supplements. However, meat supplements were more effective in protecting hemoglobin and ferritin status than were iron supplements.

Does baseline serum total calcium level influence the blood pressure response to calcium supplementation? A double-blind study.

This was a randomized and double-blind study to examine: (1) the effect of a 1500 mg/day calcium supplement vs a placebo for 8 wk in 42 adults with high normal or mildly elevated blood pressure (BP) and, (2) the relationship between baseline serum total calcium levels and BP response to calcium supplementation. Following the experimental protocol, mean pressures were lower in the treatment vs placebo group (95.7 mmHg and 102.1 mmHg, p = 0.002), but response was not related to initial serum total calcium levels. After 8 wk of calcium supplementation, serum total calcium was greater in the treatment group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.02). Within the treatment group only, the change in total serum calcium was related to the change in parathyroid hormone (r = -0.92, p = 0.0002); and the change in ionized calcium was related to the change in parathyroid hormone (r = -0.68, p = 0.03) in the subgroup with low baseline serum total calcium. This study provides further support for the hypotensive effect of supplemental calcium in some people. However, it fails to clarify or expand upon previous reports that a low serum total calcium level might be predictive of the blood pressure response to increased calcium.

The effect of dietary interventions to reduce blood pressure in normal humans.

Changes in electrolyte intake have been advocated to lower the prevalence of hypertension in the normal population. To elucidate the potential impact of such strategies, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of data from three interventions, namely, salt (NaCl) restriction, calcium (Ca) supplementation, and potassium (K) supplementation in normal volunteers. Eighty-two adults lowered their Na intake from 157 +/- 6 S.E. to 68 +/- 3 mEq/day for 12 weeks. Population mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased less than or equal to 2 mm Hg. Ca supplementation, 1.5 g daily for 12 weeks in 37 men, decreased blood pressure compared to 38 men receiving placebo. Ca supplementation, 1 g daily for 8 weeks in an older group of 44 normal subjects, decreased supine diastolic and standing systolic blood pressure. K supplementation with a nonchloride salt in 64 normal adults for 4 weeks had no effect on systolic or diastolic blood pressure even though urinary excretion was increased by 20 mmol/day. The responses to all interventions were Gaussian in distribution. A potentially adverse effect on blood pressure in some normal individuals cannot be excluded on the basis of the currently available data. Although all three interventions may benefit some hypertensive and some normal individuals, the data from these relatively short-term cross-sectional studies are insufficient to warrant generalized dietary recommendations for the normal population.

Relation between vegetarian/nonvegetarian diets and blood pressure in black and white adults.

We examined the possible interaction of race and diet on blood pressure (BP) in volunteer Black Seventh Day Adventists compared to volunteer White church members. Height, weight, waist and hip circumference, and resting seated BP were recorded in Black vegetarians (n = 55; age: 54.7 +/- 16.9 yrs), Black nonvegetarians (n = 59; 56.1 +/- 14.1 yrs), White vegetarians (n = 164; 52.2 +/- 16.7 yrs), and White nonvegetarians (n = 100; 52.6 +/- 15.6 yrs) attending a regional conference. Forty-four percent of the Black nonvegetarians were medicated hypertensives, compared to only 18 percent of the Black vegetarians, 7 percent of the White vegetarians, and 22 percent of the White nonvegetarians. Black vegetarians exhibited lower age and sex-adjusted systolic BP (means = 122.9/74.4 mm Hg) than Black nonvegetarians (means = 132.2/75.9 mm Hg). After further adjusting BP for body mass index and waist/hip ratio, the systolic BP among Black vegetarians remained lower (122.8) than Black nonvegetarians (129.7) but higher than that of the Whites who showed no diet-related BP differences.

Metabolic differences between subjects whose blood pressure did or did not respond to oral calcium supplementation.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a 1500 mg/d calcium supplement taken over a 12-wk period, the mean arterial pressure of normotensive adult males (n = 37) was modestly but significantly lowered as compared with a placebo group (n = 38). Within the Ca group only, responders (greater than or equal to 5 mm Hg decrease in mean arterial pressure, n = 14) were compared with nonresponders (less than 5 mm Hg decrease in mean arterial pressure, n = 23). The responders were older (p = 0.002) and exhibited higher mean arterial pressure (p = 0.00001), higher serum parathyroid hormone (p = 0.01), and lower serum total Ca (p = 0.001) at baseline. A stepwise discriminant function analysis revealed that mean arterial pressure and serum total Ca correctly classified 78.38% of the responders and nonresponders and, thus, were the most important determinants of blood pressure response to supplemental Ca.

Beyond blood pressure screening: a rationale for promoting the primary prevention of hypertension.

Abstract High blood pressure is a major public health problem in the United States. However, the underlying reasons for the chronic elevation of blood pressure (BP) are unknown in most cases of hypertension (HT), and medical care has focused on lowering already elevated BP, primarily by pharmacologic means. Although an important factor in the development of HT appears to be a genetic predisposition, other potentially modifiable lifestyle risk factors associated with elevated BP have been identified. This article describes the scientific rationale for encouraging health promotion specialists to focus on the primary prevention of abnormally elevated blood pressure. Nonbehavioral risk factors such as increasing age, history of HT, Black ancestry, and consistent BP readings in the higher range of normality, and behavioral factors including dietary excesses and deficiencies, excessive body fat, a sedentary life style, and frequent episodes of unmanageable emotional stress are addressed. Recommendations are made based on scientific evidence supporting the relationships between these risk factors and the development of HT.

Blood pressure and metabolic effects of calcium supplementation in normotensive white and black men.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to examine the effect of calcium supplementation on blood pressure in normotensive black (n = 21) and white (n = 54) men, aged 19 to 52 years. After a four-week baseline period of weekly blood pressure measurement, subjects were randomly assigned within racial groups to either a treatment (calcium, 1500 mg/d) or placebo group for a 12-week period. During the experimental period, multiple blood pressure measurements were taken every two weeks in both the seated and supine positions, using a random baseline sphygmomanometer. A repeated-measures analysis of covariance yielded a modest but significantly lower seated mean arterial pressure in the treatment group compared with the control group, but no differences between the races. Results were similar for supine blood pressure. Calcium supplementation, in comparison with placebo, resulted in lower mean arterial pressure in normotensive white and black men during a 12-week period. The overall blood pressure-lowering effect was not correlated with the response of serum levels of total and ionized calcium, total inorganic phosphorus, or parathyroid hormone, or overnight urinary electrolyte values.