Excessive Salt Consumption Puts Older Women At Higher Risk Of Bone Fractures

A Japanese study has determined that postmenopausal women who consume a diet high in sodium have a much greater risk of suffering nonvertabral bone fractures. Past research has shown a link between excess sodium consumption and increased bone breakdown and decreased bone mineral density. The new study followed 213 postmenopausal women who had undergone osteoporosis screening. Participants with the highest sodium intake (an average of 7,561 mg per day) were four times likelier to have an existing nonvertebral fracture, compared with the groups who had lower sodium intakes. The researchers concluded that excessive sodium is a risk factor for bone fragility and is important to consider in dietary therapy for osteoporosis.