All you can B
B vitamins linked to bone health
Last week, I told you about recent research showing that dried plums (the fruit formerly known as “prunes”) may be able to increase bone density and reduce the risk of fractures. Well, prunes aren’t the only new development in the osteoporosis-prevention field. Another study published in the June issue of the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism found that your internal levels of B vitamins can also have an impact on your bone health.
Researchers examined records of more than 1,000 people and found that those who were deficient in vitamin B12 were 60 percent more likely to fracture a hip than people with normal levels of the nutrient. They also found that declining levels of vitamin B6 led to accelerated bone loss.
Both of these B-vitamins have also been linked to heart health, and one of the critical markers in that arena — homocysteine — has also been linked to increased hip fracture risk.
Of course, the researchers were less than enthusiastic about recommending B-vitamin supplements based on their study results. One of the investigators commented that “It’s still too early to tell people to start taking their B vitamins to prevent hip fractures. We need clinical trial evidence to give us a better picture of what’s really going on.”
Even if it were “too early” to recommend B vitamins for fracture prevention, it’s certainly not too early to recommend these nutrients for their dozens of other uses in the body (not the least of which are the cardiovascular benefits mentioned above). And if they help strengthen your bones in the process, so much the better.
Good food sources of vitamin B12 include meat, fish, and poultry (organic, free-range varieties of course). B6 is found in potatoes, bananas, and beans. And while this particular study didn’t mention it, folic acid is another essential member of the B-vitamin family. You can increase your levels of it by eating more green leafy vegetables.
If you opt to take supplements as well, Dr. Wright recommends meeting with a physician skilled in nutritional and natural medicine who can help you determine the best dosages for your individual needs. To find such a physician in your area, contact the American College for Advancement in Medicine at (800)532-3688 or visit www.acam.org.
Source:
“Low vitamin B tied to hip fracture risk,” Reuters Health News, 6/27/08
