15 March 2009
Increased intakes of carotenoids may lower the risk of hip fracture in older men and women, according to a 17-year study from the US.
The researchers measured the intakes of total and individual carotenoids, including beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein plus zeaxanthin. Intakes were assessed using a questionnaire (1). Over the course of 17 years of follow-up, the researchers documented 100 hip fractures. The highest average intake of all carotenoids was associated with a significantly lower risk of hip fracture and non-vertebral osteoporotic fracture. Of the individual carotenoids studied, lycopene was found to have the greatest protective effect.
These results suggest a protective role of several carotenoids for bone health in older adults. Aging populations and the additional strain from obesity increase the numbers affected by osteoporosis. Already the lifetime risk for a woman to have an osteoporotic fracture is 30–40% and in men the risk is about 13%.
13 February 2015
According to a new US study stroke patients with low vitamin D levels were more likely to suffer severe strokes and have poor health after stroke than those with normal levels of vitamin D.
18 August 2014
According to a new review current evidence does not support the hypothesis that calcium supplements increase the risk for post-menopausal women to develop heart disease.
15 March 2009
Increased intakes of carotenoids may lower the risk of hip fracture in older men and women, according to a 17-year study from the US.
