Recent research has helped us to understand the relationship between high cholesterol and osteoporosis and discovered a way in which the immune system plays a role in the bone condition.

Researchers from UCLA used human blood samples to isolate immune T cells. They combined half of them with normal LDL cholesterol and the rest with oxidized LDL. After they stimulated half of the cells to mimic an immune response they found that they started producing a chemical called RANKL that stimulates cells whose purpose is to destroy bone.

Subsequently, based on a dietary study in mice they determined that the animals fed a high-cholesterol diet had T cells that switched on the gene that produces RANKL.

"It’s normal for our T cells to produce small amounts of RANKL during an immune response," says Rita Effros, professor of pathology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

"But when RANKL is manufactured for long periods or at the wrong time, it results in excessive bone damage," she adds.

Studies such as this emphasize the importance of following a low-cholesterol diet, such as the alkaline diet. It is rich in citrus fruits, vegetables, tubers, nuts and legumes, and has the added benefit of boosting bone health in old age.

Those who are concerned about their risk of osteoporosis may also benefit from nutritional supplements containing vitamin D and calcium.

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