Excess Vit B intake Linked to Hip Fracture|Study

Vitamin supplement is common and most of us take it for granted that excess intake is okay. But, a recent study has linked excess intake of vitamin B to increased risk of hip fracture among postmenopausal women, suggesting that caution should be used in vitamin supplementation when there is no apparent deficiency.

A recent US study published in an online journal JAMA suggests that a combined high intake of vitamins B₆ and B₁₂ was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture.

Let’s try to find out more about this research, its methodology and what made researchers conclude this.

Research methodology

The cohort study was conducted among postmenopausal nurses by NHS (Nurses’ Health Study). The study sample included 75 864 postmenopausal women and was followed up from June 1984 through May 2014.

All the collected data were analyzed between July 2016 to June 2018.

NHS was actually initiated in 1976 among 121 701 female registered nurses in the United States aged 30 to 55 years. By the year 1984, when the present study was initiated, all the nurses had reached menopause.

Questionnaires were sent through the mail and every 2 years, the followup was done. questionnaire includes

1. Information about hip fracture (with the date of occurrence and a description of the circumstances). Hip fractures were also identified from death records. A total of 2304 hip fractures were recorded of 75 864 women during follow-up.
2. Diet was assessed with a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in 1984, 1986, and every 4 years thereafter until 2010.

Result

During follow-up, 2304 of 75 864 women had a hip fracture. Among the women with hip fractures, the median age at hip fracture was 75.8 years and the mean body mass index was 24.3.

Median cumulative average intakes of total vitamins B₆ and B₁₂ were 3.6 mg/d and 12.1 μg/d, respectively. Both vitamin B₆ and vitamin B₁₂ were associated with increased fracture risk.

The risk was highest in women with a combined high intake of both vitamins, exhibiting an almost 50% increased risk of hip fracture compared with women with a low intake of both vitamins.

Point here to note is that hip fracture may also occur due to Hip Arthritis.

What does it mean for us

In this cohort study, a combined high intake of vitamins B₆ and B₁₂ was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture. The intakes were far higher than the recommended dietary allowances.

These findings add to previous studies suggesting that vitamin supplements should be used cautiously because adverse effects can occur.

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Sunit. S. Ekka

Dr Sunit Sanjay Ekka is a physiotherapist in practice for the last 15 years. He has done his BPT from one of the premium Central Government physiotherapy colleges, ie, SVNIRTAR. The patient is his best teacher and whatever he gets to learn he loves to share it on his Youtube channel and blog.