title: Vitamin B12, folic acid, and bone.
abstract: Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency are associated with a higher serum concentration of homocysteine. A high serum homocysteine is a risk factor for fractures. Both vitamins play a role in the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. The pathophysiology from a high serum homocysteine to fractures is not completely clear, but might involve bone mineral density, bone turnover, bone blood flow, DNA methylation, and/or physical function and fall risk. Genetic variation, especially polymorphisms of the gene encoding for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase may play a role in homocysteine metabolism and fracture risk. It is uncertain whether supplementation with vitamin B12 and folate can decrease fracture incidence. One double blind clinical trial in post-stroke patients showed that these B vitamins could decrease hip fracture incidence, but the results of further clinical trials should be awaited before a definite conclusion can be drawn.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the EMGO Institute of Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Van de Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Karin M A
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Swart
authors.forename: Natasja M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: van Schoor
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lips
mesh_terms: D015519:Bone Density; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12