Bone Metabolism

Mission

Our objective is to improve the scientific basis for setting nutrient intake requirements to promote musculoskeletal health and improve overall health and function in the elderly. Our activities and plans are summarized below.

Lab Objectives

1. Conduct clinical studies to determine the effects of vitamin D in the prevention of physical dysfunction, oral disease, and diabetes, and other chronic diseases in older adults.

2. Conduct clinical studies to determine the effects of dietary protein and dietary acid-base balance on bone and muscle metabolism and function, respectively, in older adults.

3. Determine the role and mechanisms of action for calcium and magnesium and other dietary components in the maintenance of bone health and the progression of related diseases.

a. Define the status of bone mineral density and determine associations between nutrition, stress, and bone in older Puerto Ricans.

Staff

Bess Dawson-Hughes, M.D., Laboratory Director
Senior Scientist and Professor, Medicine
Research focus: dietary and genetic determinants of bone mass

Susan Harris, D.Sc.
Scientist I
Research focus: Vitamin D and other nutritional determinants of chronic disease

Heike Bischoff-Ferrari, M.D., M.P.H.
Visiting Scientist
Research focus: Prevention of falls/disability in the elderly; musculoskeletal effects of vitamin D

Lisa Ceglia, M.D.
Scientist II
The relationship between the aging musculoskeletal system and nutritional factors such as vitamin D, dietary protein, and acid/base balance in the diet

Nancy Palermo, B.S., Project Manager

Nicole Chapelle, B.S., Research Coordinator

Joann Thelusma, Budget and Administrative Assistant

For contact information, please click on the scientist's webpage or visit the Tufts University online directory athttp://whitepages.tufts.edu/.

Learn More

Volunteer for a current research study:
Meal effects on vitamin D absorption
The purpose of this study is to determine whether 25(OH)D3 response to vitamin D3 supplementation is affected by meal condition. (You may be selected to participate in one of three groups: fasting, low-fat meal, or high-fat meal.)

Musculoskeletal benefits of bicarbonate in older adults
The purpose of this study is to ddetermine how much potassium bicarbonate will best maintain bone and muscle health.

Pilot study of the effect of dietary fat type and amount on vitamin D3 absorption
The purpose of the study is to determine whether vitamin D3 absorption is affected by different fatty acid profiles; specifically the presence of a meal with a high monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) to polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ratio vs. a meal with a low MUFA/PUFA ratio. You may be selected to participate in one of three groups: low-fat meal, high-fat meal or non-fat meal.