An international study led by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that elderly men with low levels of vitamin B12 may suffer increased risks of fractures.
>>> BMI Affects Advertising Comprehension for Children
>>> Arsenic In Your Diet: What to Know
>>> Sugar Intake Linked to Healthy Teeth
The international study was initiated by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) involving 11,000 men, but was separately conducted over several countries. The part that was conducted at the University of Gothenburg involved 1,000 Swedish males with median age of 75. The research procedure included blood analysis to determine the levels of vitamin B12 and folate present in the blood. The study reveals that those who were found to have lower levels of vitamin B12 at the beginning of the study showed higher risk of fractures 6 years later. This risk was observed to be even 70% higher among men who belonged in the quartile of participants with the lowest level of B12. This increased risk involved mainly fractures in the lumbar area which has shown risk increases of up to 120%.
Author and researcher Catharina Lewerin of the Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University said that the risk increase was consistently observed when analysis involved other factors such as smoking, body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD), age, levels of physical activity, history of fractures, vitamin D levels in the blood, and calcium intake. The study adopted a method called holotranscobalamin which quantifies vitamins present in the cells.
Lewerin, however, explained that there is no scientific basis at the moment to declare that consuming or increasing intake of vitamin B12 will prevent fractures in the future. Currently, intensive researches are being conducted to identify causes of osteoporosis and to lower risks of fractures especially in older individuals. A Dutch study involves treating individuals over 65 years old with doses of vitamins B12 and D, and folic acid. This study aims to investigate the impact of these nutrients to incidence of fractures. She also added that quitting cigarette smoking and daily physical activity are appropriate ways to strengthen the bones.
Reference:
University of Gothenburg. “Low vitamin B12 levels increase risk of fractures in older men.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 10 December 2013. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131210091244.htm>.
[…] >>> Low Levels of B12 Means Higher Risk of Fractures […]