engleski

Homocysteine and bone mineral density in vegetarians

Recent studies have identified a new and potentially modifiable risk factor for osteoporotic fracture - a mildly elevated circulating homocysteine (Hcy) level. Exclusion of animal products in vegetarian diets may cause the rise of plasma Hcy concentration. The aim of the study was to compare Hcy level and bone mineral density (BMD) in vegetarians. Subjects (n=65 ; 13 males and 52 females) were vegans (n=20) and lacto-ovo-vegetarians (n=45). Age range was 21-63 years. Abott AxSYM system was used for measuring plasma Hcy and BMD was measured in spine and proximal femur using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Hcy levels were log transformed to obtain normal distribution. Median plasma Hcy was 9.0 μ mol/L. Hcy > 10 and 15 µ mol/L had 32.8 and 7.8 % of subjects, respectively. Duration of vegetarian diet (years) was significantly correlated with Hcy (r=0.26, p=0.04). Spinal and femoral osteopenia (T score -1 to -2.5) was observed in 20.0 and 27.7 % subjects, respectively. Osteoporosis (T score < -2.5) was observed in one subject. Correlation of plasma Hcy and spine and femur BMD was negative but not significant (r=-0.02 and -0.03, respectively) and no significant differences in Hcy values were found between the low and normal BMD groups. The missing correlation (p > 0.05) could be due to high folate intake in vegetarians. Future studies should include bone turnover markers beside BMD, as better indicators of bone metabolism over time.

vegetarian diet; homocysteine; bone mineral density

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