[Nutrition and primary osteoporosis].

Osteoporosis is a bone disease of great sociomedical and economic importance. Postmenopausal women are primarily affected. Pathogenesis is of multifactorial origin. In Western countries, reduced physical activity and an inadequate nutritional calcium supply are important aspects besides decreased postmenopausal oestrogen secretion. Food statistics confirm that in the Federal Republic of Germany calcium intake is below the DGE recommendation in almost all age groups, especially in women. Calcium may play a role in prevention of osteoporosis. The paper reports on individual measures to enhance calcium intake. Furthermore, the influence of the postmenopausal status on calcium metabolism and calcium requirement is demonstrated. Finally, the importance of other nutritional aspects for the manifestation of osteoporosis is discussed.