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November 14, 2006
Vitamin link to bone loss probed
Scientists in Northern Ireland are to investigate if B-vitamin supplements can
help prevent osteoporosis.
The University of Ulster scientists are based at the Northern Ireland Centre for Food
and Health (NICHE) at the Coleraine campus.
They are recruiting healthy post-menopausal women, aged 45 and over, for the bone study.
Osteoporosis - loss of bone density, mass and strength - affects about three million
people in the UK.
It is more common in women than men and Professor Helene McNulty said a new risk factor
has been suggested for osteoporosis.
"Increased amounts of homocysteine in the blood may increase the risk of developing
osteoporosis," she said.
"High homocysteine has also been linked to a higher risk of heart disease and strokes."
Genetic links
Individuals who have a poor dietary intake of B-vitamins tend to have high homocysteine
levels.
In addition, some people have a genetic make-up that causes them to have a higher homocysteine
level and these people may have a greater risk of developing osteoporosis.
"Studies have found that when B-vitamin intake is improved, homocysteine levels
are lowered and this offers the possibility of a novel way to reduce osteoporosis,"
Prof McNulty added.
The university study is aimed at determining if post-menopausal women with a particular
genetic make-up can benefit from B-vitamin supplementation to lower homocysteine levels
and, therefore, reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Those women deemed suitable will be given a DEXA bone scan which is the most accurate
way of assessing bone health.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk
Comment:
Homocysteine interferes with a proper collagen structure, which forms the framework
of the bone on which calcium and other minerals are deposited. This study is further
confirmation of what our clinical study and research has shown - that supporting proper
collagen structure assures healthy bones. Optimum bone health can be achieved not
with one nutrient, but with the synergistic combination of specific nutrients like
vitamins, amino acids, and minerals. We have developed nutrient synergy approaches
in various aspects of health. You can read more about Dr.Rath’s research and
clinical studies at our web site http://www.drrathresearch.org/ |
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