Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects

Drinking mineral waters, preventing
osteoporosis
Karagülle M (1) , Karagülle MZ (1)
(1) Istanbul University. Istanbul Faculty of Medicine. Department of Medical Ecology and
Hydroclimatology, Istanbul, Turkey
mzkaragulle@tnn.net
Osteoporosis is a systemic disease of the skeleton, characterized by reduction of
bone mass and increased risk for fractures. Measures to prevent osteoporosis include
a healthy lifestyle, with regular physical activity, adequate intake of calcium
and vitamin D, and avoidance of cigarette smoking and excess alcohol.
To attain the optimal calcium intake it has been suggested that the frequency of
consumption of dairy products and calcium-rich vegetables be increased. In general,
it is assumed that any calcium supplementation will lead to an improved calcium
metabolism. Mineral waters are recommended in the prevention of osteoporosis
because of their calcium content since some mineral waters may contain calcium in
high concentrations (150-550mg/L), and regular consumption can give rise to a
significant intake of calcium. It has been shown that the calcium contained in these
mineral waters is equally well absorbed and utilized as that from milk and calcium
supplements. Another study indicated that calcium in mineral water immediately
lowers parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bone resorption marker. The long-term
effect of calcium in mineral water on bone resorption was also demonstrated by a
controlled study in a group of women who were on a low calcium intake. These
positive results of drinking high calcium mineral waters on the bone health have
been confirmed by following studies.
It is believed in general that mineral waters rich in calcium can influence bone
health positively and can help preventing osteoporosis when consumed regularly.
On the other hand mineral waters contain other minerals such as sodium, magnesium
and fluoride, and anions such as bicarbonate and sulfate. Fluoride can in rare
cases be so high that it increases bone density. Since bicarbonate increase the urinary
pH and lowers renal calcium excretion hence improves calcium balance, alkali
mineral waters rich in bicarbonate have to be tested in terms of their effects on bone
and calcium metabolism. Indeed, they lowered renal calcium excretion and bone
resorption in short and medium term trials and they could be of particular interest in
the prevention of osteoporosis in addition to calcium-rich waters. But the eventual
benefit of an alkali load provided by bicarbonate rich mineral water consumption
appeared to be an additional factor to be considered. This was assessed by some
interventional trials very recently. It has been shown that alkali mineral waters with
Balnea
2012, núm. 6, 210-211
210
ISBN: 978-84-669-1887-0
978-84-669-3482-4