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Low vitamin B levels associated with increased fracture risk in older men
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Low vitamin B12 levels in the blood were found to increase the risk of fracture in older Swedish men, according to study results published in Osteoporosis International.
As part of an international research project initiated by the National Institutes of Health, researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, in Gothenburg, Sweden, analyzed blood concentrations of the B vitamins B12 and folate in 1,000 Swedish men whose average age was 75 years.
Overall, the study results showed that men with low B12 levels at the start of the study had a higher risk of fracture 6 years later than men whose B12 levels were normal the study’s outset. The risk of fracture was elevated by about 70% in the quartile with the lowest B12 content vs. the other quartiles.
Catharina Lewerin, one of the researchers, and colleagues used a relatively new method to measure the amount of the vitamins taken up the cells, which is called holotrascobalamin.
They found the increased fracture risk they identified was primarily in the lumbar region, based on a University of Gothenburg press release.
“Right now, there is no reason to eat more vitamin B12, but rather treatment shall only be applied in confirmed cases of deficiencies and in some cases to prevent deficiencies. For anyone who wants to strengthen their bones and prevent fractures, physical activity 30 minutes a day and quitting smoking is good self care,” Lewerin stated in the release.
Reference: Lewerin C. Osteoporosis Int. 2013;doi:10.1007/s00198-013-2527-y.
Disclosure: Lewerin reports no relevant financial disclosures.