Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease that causes bones to be weakened and thinned to the point that they can fracture more easily. Alcohol can affect the density of your bones, the rate at which bone cells regenerate, and how well your body absorbs crucial bone-forming nutrients. Consumption of alcohol can be an important factor to take into account when it comes to the management and prevention of osteoporosis.
The Effects of Alcohol on Bone Density
One of the most significant ways that alcohol affects osteoporosis is by decreasing bone density. Bone density is a measure of how much mineral is present in bones and is used to assess the strength of bones. The risk of fracture increases as bone density decreases.
Although moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to have some positive effects on health, heavy drinking can lead to a significant decrease in bone density.
In a study of postmenopausal women, those who drank more than three alcoholic beverages per week had lower bone density than those who drank less than three alcoholic beverages per week. Heavy drinkers (defined as those who drank more than six alcoholic beverages per week) had even lower bone densities.
Another study found that consumption of more than four alcoholic beverages per day had an increased risk of hip fracture. These studies suggest that even moderate alcohol consumption may have negative effects on bone density.
The Effects of Alcohol on Bone Cell Rebuild Rate
Another way that alcohol affects osteoporosis is by decreasing the rate at which bone cells rebuild. When bones are damaged or break, they must be rebuilt by special cells called osteoblasts. One study found that chronic alcohol consumption decreases the number of osteoblasts and impairs their ability to rebuild bones effectively. This may help explain why heavy drinkers are at an increased risk for fractures even if their bone densities are normal.
Alcohol and Vitamin D
One of the ways in which alcohol consumption can impact your bones is by interfering with the body’s absorption of calcium. Calcium is a crucial nutrient for maintaining strong, healthy bones. When the body doesn’t absorb calcium properly, it can lead to bone loss and an increased risk for fractures.
Alcohol can also impact the body’s production of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and plays an important role in bone health. When the body doesn’t have enough vitamin D, it can lead to problems with bone density and an increased risk for osteoporosis. Additionally, alcohol consumption can cause inflammation, which can also lead to bone loss.
Can Drinking Alcohol Be Good for My Bones?
While excessive alcohol consumption can have negative effects on bone health, moderate alcohol consumption (1-2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women) has actually been shown to have positive effects on bone density.
This is likely due to the fact that moderate alcohol consumption increases levels of female hormones in postmenopausal women and increased levels of silicon content of beer in men.
Additionally, moderate intake of red wine has been shown to increase levels of osteocalcin, a protein that plays an important role in bone formation.
ConclusionÂ
Patients suffering from osteoporosis or low bone density should speak with their physician about their specific situation before consuming alcohol. However, in general, it is advisable for these patients to limit their alcohol intake or avoid alcohol altogether to reduce the risk of further complications.
Some evidence suggests that moderate alcohol consumption is beneficial for bone density. However, this evidence should be viewed with caution. Being alcohol-free is the only way to be truly healthy
https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/151/8/773/116791?login=false
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1530-0277.1996.tb01095.x
https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/89/4/1188/4596800?login=false
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9726268/
