Lower Vitamin D Levels, More Hip Fractures

Science Daily ^ | 9-21-2007

[blam]

Lower vitamin D levels, more hip fractures

HONOLULU, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- A U.S. researcher found an increased risk of hip fractures in women with low levels of vitamin D.

Jane Cauley of the University of Pittsburgh evaluated patient data on 400 women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study Cohort, who had experienced hip fracture.

"The risk of hip fractures was 77 percent higher among women whose 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels were at the lowest concentrations,"Cauley said in a statement. "This effect persisted even when we adjusted for other risk factors such as body mass index, family history of hip fracture, smoking and alcohol use."

Levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D, an indicator of vitamin D status, in the bloodstream were measured for these patients and compared with those of a control group matched for age, race, ethnicity and the date of relevant blood work.

Cauley said the exact daily requirement of vitamin D hasn't been determined but most experts think the current recommended level of 400 international units should be raised to at least 800 to 1,000 IU's a day.

The findings are being presented at the 29th annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research in Honolulu.

[VOA]

Interested folks should check the list of articles under...

KEYWORD: VITAMIND
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=vitamind

[keats5]

I question whether it’s wise to tell people to avoid the sun like the plague. Sure, it’s wise not to overdo it, but we need a little exposure for our bodies to make vitamin D.

I adopted my son from an orphanage in Kazakhstan. He, and most of the other kids, had rickets. It was just too much hassle for the orphanage workers to bundle up the kids to take them outside.

[raybbr]

ping

[Melinda in TN]

I had rickets when I was a baby right here in the good old USA. Now I’m 52 years old and my bone density scan says I have a moderate risk of fracture to my left hip. Other places scanned OK though. My doctor put me on 2000mg of calcium a day with vitamin D and K. I already exercise a lot and do weight training at the gym. I am not a couch potato. I don’t smoke or drink and never have but my bones are incredibly small. I wear a child’s watch band and have a size 4 ring finger. :-)

[Riodacat]

Vitamin D is required for the absorption of calcium.
Better absorbed calcium = stronger bones.
Stronger bones = fewer fractures.
Do the math...

[neverdem]

thanks, bfl

[FreeKeys]

I believe the NIH is preparing to release, or may have already released, a study showing 2,000 IU of Vitamin D / day dramatically lowers cancer incidence rates. I’m too busy and tired to look it up (sorry).

[neverdem]

thanks, bfl