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Health News Archive 171 - Bone Mineral Density
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Homocysteine Up, Bone Mineral Density Down, Fractures Up

Elevated homocysteine levels have long been recognized as a risk factor for heart disease. Recently, however, research is pointing the role for homocysteine in other areas of our health. A January 2006 study confirms that high homocysteine levels have an adverse effect on bone health.

Past research has indicated that high plasma levels of homocysteine correlate with an increased risk of hip fracture. However, until now, these studies did not directly investigate the link between homocysteine and bone mineral density (BMD). The authors of the current study examined this previous association between hip bone mineral density and levels of plasma total homocysteine. They also investigated any potential association between BMD and levels of two B vitamins known to lower homocysteine levels -- folate and vitamin B12. Between 1997 and 2000, bone mineral density was measured in 2,268 men and 3,070 women, aged 47 to 50 and 71 to 75 years.

The Norwegian researchers determined that the higher the plasma levels of total homocysteine, the greater the incidence of low bone mineral density among middle-aged and elderly women. Subjects with the highest homocysteine levels had an approximately two-fold higher risk of a fracture compared to those who had the lowest levels. This same association was not seen among men, an interesting outcome that could explain why women are at a far greater risk of this disease. Women with the lowest plasma folate level also had the lowest BMD.

High homocysteine predicted low bone mineral density among women even after adjusting for confounding factors such as smoking, physical activity, calcium and vitamin D intake, and estrogen use.

According to the researchers, "These findings suggest that total homocysteine may be a potential modifiable risk factor for osteoporosis in women."  This study offers encouragement to anyone at risk for osteoporosis, as folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and betaine have all been shown to lower homocysteine levels.

Source: Gjesdal CG, Vollset SE, Ueland PM, Refsum H, Drevon CA, Gjessing HK, Tell GS. Related Articles, Links Plasma total homocysteine level and bone mineral density: the Hordaland Homocysteine Study. Arch Intern Med. 2006 Jan 9;166(1):88-94.