Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: Dr. Robert P. Heaney's six decades of research investigating bone physiology and biology had a profound impact in the field of osteoporosis. His early work at Creighton included the Creighton University “Nun” Study. Many people in the field recognize this study when it is mentioned. This project was originally designed as a 20‐year project. Roman Catholic nuns with mother houses in the Omaha, NE, USA, area were invited to attend an 8‐day inpatient metabolic balance study at 5‐year intervals. Each admission was preceded by a 7‐day diary recording all dietary intakes. The daily food provided to each inpatient study participant was matched for calcium, phosphorus, protein, fat, and carbohydrate to the intake recorded in the diaries. Dr. Heaney characterized plasma calcium kinetics using radio‐calcium isotopes, which described the interface between the calcium in the skeleton and that in the circulation. He also measured calcium absorption efficiency and recorded obligate losses of calcium in the urine and stool. All of this focused on calcium and skeletal physiology, and pathogenesis of osteoporosis. This project ultimately culminated after 41 years with each subject studied at 5‐year intervals. The study sample of 161 nuns who entered the study in 1967 decreased to 131 at the end of the study, ie, only 30 dropouts over this 41‐year study, some of whom were deceased. This study documented the importance of calcium nutrition and the calcium loss at the time of menopause, and set the standard for the US recommendations for calcium intake.
DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.2981
Authors: Robert R Recker, Joan M Lappe
Institution: Creighton University
Language: English
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2514409673