Coffee and Brittle Bones

Sep 28

If there is an association between coffee drinking and osteoporosis, most people suspect it would be due to the caffeine. One study showed a lower bone mineral density in women who consumed more than 450 mg of caffeine daily. While the evidence suggests that women who consume 5-6 cups of coffee a day or more are at greater risk of osteoporosis, new evidence suggests that caffeine may not be the only culprit.

Atherosclerosis begins when white blood cells called monocytes move into the artery wall, turn into macrophages and engulf oxidized, cholesterol-rich LDL particles. The macrophages become filled with cholesterol and die. When this happens they release chemicals that attract even more monocytes from the blood. This results in the growth of atherosclerotic plaques that eventually trigger most heart attacks and strokes in Americans. The more LDL in the blood, the more rapidly the arteries clog up. Well, it turns out that high levels of LDL in the blood also get into the bones. In the bone, the oxidized LDLs again attract monocytes from the bloodstream. However, in the bone, these monocytes turn into osteoclasts. Osteoclasts are cells that break down bone tissue. So increased LDL-cholesterol levels increase the number of osteoclasts in the bone and this speeds up the breakdown of bone tissue.This may explain why “statin” drugs (used to lower LDL-Cholesterol in the blood) have been shown to reduce osteoporosis as well as atherosclerosis. It should also be noted that the most popular drug used to treat osteoporosis (Fosamax) lowers LDL and raises HDL levels.The bottom line: The heavy consumption of unfiltered coffee may contribute to the development of both osteoporosis and heart disease by increasing LDL. Unfiltered coffee includes espresso, cappuccino, coffee made with a press, coffee made with a nylon or gold filter or any other coffee made without a paper filter. A diet that is low in salt and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nonfat dairy products and with a little fatty fish is best for preventing both osteoporosis and atherosclerosis because it lowers LDL and improves calcium balance.

Coffee TeamythUniversity of RochesterosteoporosisatherosclerosischolesterolDr James J Kenneyresearch

Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

Judy’s passion for cooking began with helping her grandmother make raisin oatmeal for breakfast. From there, she earned her first food service job at 15, was accepted to the world-famous Culinary Institute of America at 18 (where she graduated second in her class), and went on to the Fachschule Richemont in Switzerland, where she focused on pastry arts and baking. After a decade in food service for Hyatt Hotels, Judy launched Food and Health Communications to focus on flavor and health. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude distinction from Johnson and Wales University with a BS in Culinary Arts, holds a master’s degree in Food Business from the Culinary Institute of America, two art certificates from UC Berkeley Extension, and runs a food photography & motion studio where her love is creating fun recipes and content.

Judy received The Culinary Institute of America’s Pro Chef II certification, the American Culinary Federation Bronze Medal, Gold Medal, and ACF Chef of the Year. Her enthusiasm for eating nutritiously and deliciously leads her to constantly innovate and use the latest nutritional science and Dietary Guidelines to guide her creativity, from putting new twists on fajitas to adapting Italian brownies to include ingredients like toasted nuts and cooked honey. Judy’s publishing company, Food and Health Communications, is dedicated to her vision that everyone can make food that tastes as good as it is for you.

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