High Homocysteine and Bone Fracture Risk

Homocysteine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body. High levels are considered a risk factor for coronary artery disease. New evidence suggests that homocysteine may also be a marker for bone fracture risk. Several studies published in the May 13 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine support a strong association between high homocysteine levels and bone fracture risk in the elderly. The studies, conducted in the U.S. and Netherlands, compared data from thousands of people aged 55 and older. The researchers found that when compared to people with the lowest homocysteine levels, men with the highest homocysteine levels had a fourfold increase in the risk of bone fracture, and women with the highest homocysteine levels doubled their risk of bone fracture. Although not conclusive, it appears that homocysteine may cause bone loss by interfering with new bone formation. While experts continue to study the effects of homocysteine, one point is clear: a diet containing a generous amount of folic acid, B vitamins, vitamin D, and calcium, combined with regular exercise, is essential to help reduce your risk of bone fracture.