Nutrition and Bone Health Among Postmenopausal Latvian Women

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of yoghurt consumption on bone health among postmenopausal Latvian women. In the study, 52 participants were divided into two groups — control (n = 26) and experimental group (n = 26). Both study groups were able to consume a self-selected diet, but the experimental group had to additionally consume 175 g of plain organic milk yoghurt on a daily basis for eight weeks. 72-hour food diaries were obtained prior to and after the eight-week experiment. To evaluate bone mass density, a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was performed prior to the eight-week experiment. 25-OH-Vitamin D and calcium blood serum levels were evaluated prior to and after the eight-week experiment. DEXA revealed osteoporotic values at the lumbar spine or femoral neck region for ten participants. The 25-OH-Vitamin D blood serum level among the participants was sufficient (30.0–44.9 ng·ml⁻¹). Calcium blood serum levels were within reference values (2.1–2.6 mmol·l⁻¹) for all participants. No significant difference was found regarding yogurt consumption and calcium blood serum levels (p = 0.400). Although the majority of participants noted milk and milk product consumption on a daily basis, the daily calcium intake only reached the lowest recommended value for adults (800 mg). Vitamin D intake from food and dietary supplements significantly varied (0 to 302.08 µg a day). For the prevention of osteoporosis, it is necessary to promote the consumption of fermented milk products and vitamin D supplementation among postmenopausal women.