Dietary Fiber, Genetic Variations of Gut Microbiota-derived Short-chain Fatty Acids, and Bone Health in UK Biobank

Context: Dietary fiber intake may relate to bone health. Objective: To investigate whether dietary fiber intake is associated with bone mineral density (BMD), and the modification effect of genetic variations related to gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Design: The associations of dietary fiber intake with estimated BMD derived from heel ultrasound and fractures were assessed in 224 630 and 384 134 participants from the UK Biobank. Setting: UK Biobank. Main Outcome Measures: Estimated BMD derived from heel ultrasound Results: Higher dietary fiber intake (per standard deviation) was significantly associated with higher heel-BMD (beta [standard error] = 0.0047 [0.0003], P = 1.10 x 10(-54)). Similarly significant associations were observed for all the fiber subtypes including cereal, fruit (dried and raw), and vegetable (cooked and raw) (all P<.05). A positive association was found in both women and men but more marked among men except for dietary fiber in cooked vegetables (all P-interaction<.05). A protective association was found between dietary fiber intake and hip fracture (hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval: 0.94, 0.89-0.99; P = 3.0 x 10(-2)). In addition, the association between dietary fiber and heel BMD was modified by genetically determined SCFA propionate production (P-interaction = 5.1 x 10(-3)). The protective association between dietary fiber and heel BMD was more pronounced among participants with lower genetically determined propionate production. Conclusions: Our results indicate that greater intakes of total dietary fiber and subtypes from various food sources are associated with higher heel-BMD. Participants with lower genetically determined propionate production may benefit more from taking more dietary fiber.

Automated summary

The study found a positive association between higher dietary fiber intake and higher heel bone mineral density (BMD) from various food sources. Specifically, individuals with lower genetically determined SCFA propionate production may benefit more from increasing dietary fiber intake.