Vitamin E may Reduce Bone Fracture Risk

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that vitamin E may reduce the risk of bone fracture.

Can vitamin E reduce bone fracture risk?

61,433 women and 1,138 men were studied for a period of 19 years. Within this group 14,738 women experienced an initial fracture.

Serum concentrations of vitamin E as well as supplemental vitamin E intake was assessed indicating a strong correlation with bone health.

Those with the lowest level of serum vitamin E had an 86% increase in the rate of hip fracture. Those taking alpha-tocopherol supplements had a 22% reduction in the rate of hip fracture.

Higher intakes of vitamin E were associated with improved bone mineral density and increased lean muscle mass, resulting in lower fracture risk.

Consumption of vitamin E in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries is low with approximately 10% of women and 5% of men meeting or exceeding the recommended daily intake. The researchers point out that the highest incidents of osteoporotic fractures worldwide are found in Scandinavia.

These findings contradict a previous vitamin E study showing a negative impact on bone health. However this was a study on rodents in which a dosage 30 times higher than the recommended amount was given. Those who take high-dose vitamin E products should realize that this is similar to a human dosage of 1000 international unit’s, one not uncommon in high potency vitamin E supplements.

Like most studies on vitamin E, natural food sources of vitamin E produced better results than vitamin E supplemented in the diet.

So how can we assure we have a proper intake of vitamin E? This website explains why vitamin E from food outperforms vitamin E in supplement form and how to assure you get the full benefit that vitamin E can provide.

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