Adequate diet and physical activity throughout life could help
achieve one's full genetic potential in peak bone mass, and reduce the
risk of developing osteoporosis later in life [7–9]. Calcium and other
minerals, such asmagnesium, copper, zinc, iron and manganese are important
components of an adequate diet. A high calcium intake has been
found to be beneficial to bone mass [10], and randomized controlled trials
have shown that dietary supple mentswith calcium and vitamin D in
the elderly have amoderate effect on preventing fractures [11]. Calcium
is considered an important component in bone health, however nutrients
are usually co-dependent, and the effect of calcium intake on
bone may be influenced by varying intakes of trace minerals [12–14].
The essential trace minerals copper, zinc and manganese, as well as
magnesium and iron, have been suggested to be protective for bone
health in several studies [5,8,14–20], but their relative contribution to
bone health in combination with calcium is less clear