Saturated Fats Increase Fracture Risk in Women

COLUMBUS, OhioSaturated fatty acid intake may significantly increase hip fracture risk in postmenopausal women, whereas monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid intakes may decrease total fracture risk, according to a new study published online in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The study involved 137,486 postmenopausal women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative, whose self-reported hip fractures were confirmed by researchers using a medical records review. Fatty acid intake was estimated from baseline food-frequency questionnaires and standardized to total caloric intake. However, no specific data on omega-3 supplements were available. Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to estimate risk of fracture.

Results showed increased hip fracture risk among those with higher saturated fat consumption, while lower total fracture risk was associated with higher intakes of both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. In a surprise to investigators, higher consumption of marine omega-3 fatty acids was associated with greater total fracture risk, whereas a higher omega-6 intake correlated with a lower total fracture risk.

The researchers concluded saturated fat intake may significantly increase hip fracture risk, whereas monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid intakes may decrease total fracture risk. And in postmenopausal women with a low intake of marine omega-3s, a higher intake of omega-6s may modestly decrease total fracture risk.