Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 Cut Hip Fracture Risk

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Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 Cut Hip Fracture Risk

Source: " Breaking Medical News "

 

Folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements cut the risk of hip fracture by

approximately 80%, according to a new JAMA study. The two-year randomized trial

included 559 Japanese patients aged 65 and over who had had strokes with

residual hemiplegia, putting them at high risk for osteoporosis, falls, and hip

fracture. Treatment consisted of 5 mg of folic acid and 1500 mcg of vitamin B12

daily over a two-year period. The dramatic effect of folic acid and vitamin B12

in reducing fracture risk appears to be related to its ability to cut plasma

levels of homocysteine. At higher levels, homocysteine appears to interfere with

the formation of collagen cross-links within bone, weakening the bone matrix and

increasing risk of osteoporotic fractures.

 

Sato Y, Honda Y, Iwamoto J, Kanoko T, Satoh K. Effect of folate and mecobalamin

on hip fractures in patients with stroke: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA.

2005;293:1082-8.