Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects

Balnea
2012, núm. 6, 210-211
Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects
a high content of bicarbonate but not calcium can exert an inhibitory effect on bone
resorption that exceeds the effect of mineral waters which are only rich in calcium.
Osteoporosis is one of the diseases of our times which can be prevented by a
combination of life style and nutrition. Recent evidence indicates that a healthy diet
including adequate intake of calcium and nutrients that promote a more alkaline
ambience would favor bone metabolism. In this regard mineral water drinking cures
deserve to be evaluated in preventive studies of osteoporosis since they may contain
high amounts of calcium and/or bicarbonate that would play a role in the optimal
protection of bone. Since different mineral waters in the world market have different
characteristics from the point of view of ion composition further research is
needed to identify the most specific and effective chemical components or compositions
for the primary and secondary prevention of osteoporosis.
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