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: Karin M A Swart, Natasja M van Schoor, Paul Lips
• Journal: Current osteoporosis reports (Curr Osteoporos Rep) Vol. 11 Issue 3 Pg. 213-8 (Sep 2013) ISSN: 1544-2241 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23873438 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Homocysteine
• Folic Acid
• Vitamin B 12

Topics

• Bone Density
• Bone and Bones (metabolism)
• Dietary Supplements
• Folic Acid (administration & dosage, metabolism, therapeutic use)
• Fractures, Bone (epidemiology, metabolism, prevention & control)
• Homocysteine (metabolism)
• Humans
• Prevalence
• Vitamin B 12 (administration & dosage, metabolism, therapeutic use)