A team of researchers from the University of Geneva in Switzerland found that a warm environment increases bone strength and density and may prevent the development of osteoporosis.
Researchers allowed 16-week-old female mice to live in a 34°C environment for eight weeks. The mice were found to have improved bone strength with increased tail length and significantly increased bone density in both. Then, the researchers repeated the experiment using some adult mice, and they found that the adult mice did not change in bone size, but bone strength and density were significantly improved. Next, the researchers explored the link between the global incidence of osteoporosis and the average temperature, latitude, calcium intake and vitamin D levels of the environment in which people live. They found that warmer temperatures were associated with lower rates of hip fractures, one of the main manifestations of osteoporosis. Accordingly, the researchers concluded that staying warm may be a good strategy for preventing osteoporosis.
The researchers believe that a warm environment changes the gut microbial composition, increasing osteoblast activity while diminishing osteoclast activity, thereby enhancing bone strength.
