Vitamin B-12, also known as cobalamin, is involved in energy production, nerve function, regulation of red blood cells and DNA synthesis. Although vitamin B-12 probably isn't the first nutrient you think of regarding bone health, evidence indicates that adequate vitamin B-12 levels are vital for maintaining bone mineral density and preventing the development of osteoporosis.
Collagen
B vitamins, including vitamin B-12, are necessary for proper bone health since they play a role in the synthesis of collagen, a protein that is one of the main components that makes up the connective tissue of bone, according to researchers at Jikeli University School of Medicine. B vitamins play a vital role in collagen formation, and inadequate vitamin B levels have been shown to decrease collagen formation. The findings were reported in the August 2009 issue of "Clinical Calcium."
Bone Mineral Density
Scientists at Tufts University investigated the effects of vitamin B-12 status and bone mineral density in men and women. Decreases in bone mineral density increase your risk for osteoporosis. They analyzed vitamin B-12 status and bone mineral density in those participating in the Framingham Offspring Osteoporosis Study from 1996 to 2001. Researchers reported in the October 2004 issue of the "Journal of Bone and Mineral Research" that both men and women with low vitamin B-12 levels had lower bone mineral density compared with those who had adequate vitamin B-12 levels.
Hip Fractures
High levels of homocysteine, a protein found in your blood, have been associated with increased osteoporotic fractures in elderly men and women. Scientists at Keio University School of Medicine examined the effects of vitamin B-12 supplementation on incidence of hip fractures in stroke patients. They observed that patients taking 1,500 mcg of vitamin B-12 along with 5 mg of folate significantly reduced their risk of a hip fracture compared with those who had a placebo. The vitamin B-12 and folate group experienced greater decreases in homocysteine levels than those in the placebo group. The findings were reported in the 2005 issue of the "Journal of the American Medical Association."
Interactions
Certain medications, such as antibiotics, may interact with vitamin B-12, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Consult your health-care provider before taking any vitamin B-12 supplements.
References
- "Clinical Calcium"; Nutrition and Bone Health. Roles of Vitamin C and Vitamin B As Regulators of Bone Mass and Quality; M. Saito; August 2009
- "Journal of Bone and Mineral Research"; Low Plasma Vitamin B-12 Is Associated With Lower BMD: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study; K.L. Tucker et al.; October 2004
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Effect of Folate and Mecobalamin on Hip Fractures in Patients With Stroke; Y. Sato et al.; 2005
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamin); 2011
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