IMPACT OF NON-CANCER RELATED MALNUTRITION ON BONE METABOLISM

Abstract

Malnutrition, defined as an imbalanced nutritional intake due to different causes, still represents an open issue for clinicians. Cancer is the leading cause of malnutrition, even though other forms of nutritional chronic deficits as obesity, sarcopenia, aging and undernutrition should also been considered as important factors in non-oncological patients.

Malnutrition can damage all body systems: in particular, on bone it determinates a reduction in mineral density and an alteration of microarchitecture, thus enhancing the risk of pathological fractures. Therefore, avoiding malnutrition by a correct life-style approach appears to be necessary to ameliorate bone health, even though the best dietary habit is not fully established.

The aim of this narrative review is to evaluate the pathological alteration of bone metabolism induced by non-cancer related malnutrition and the effect of different dietary habits on nutrients deficiencies and on bone architecture to suggest the best clinical practice to restore normal bone structure in malnourished patients.