December 10, 2003

By: Doug Murphy
Website: http://www.1st-in-vitamins.com

High levels of vitamin A intake may increase risk of hip fractures in older women

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) have found that long-term diets high in vitamin A may increase the risk of osteoporotic hip fractures in postmenopausal women. These findings are the latest results from the BWH-based Nurses Health Study and will appear in the January 2, 2002 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

"Vitamin A toxicity has long been known to have adverse skeletal affects, raising the possibility that long-term consumption of diets high in vitamin A may contribute to osteoporisis and hip fractures," said study lead author Diane Feskanich, D.Sc, of BWH. "In our research, we found that women with the highest total vitamin A intake - from both food sources and vitamin supplements - did have a significantly increased risk of hip fracture compared to women with lower intakes."

Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin, is involved in the formation and maintenance of healthy skin, hair, and mucous membranes and is necessary for night vision, proper bone growth, tooth development, and reproduction. Vitamin A is found in its true form - also called retinol - in foods from animal sources, especially liver, fish oils, and fortified dairy products. However, beta-carotene, a nutrient found in fruits and vegetables, can be converted to vitamin A in the body as needed. Vegetables such as carrots, dark green leafy vegetables and yellow fruits are rich in beta-carotene.

In this study, researchers found the risk of hip fracture was almost doubled among women with retinol intakes of about 2000 micrograms or more per day, compared to those with intakes of less than 500 micrograms per day. In contrast to retinol, higher intakes of beta-carotene did not significantly increase the risk of hip fracture.

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Doug Murphy is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-vitamins.com.  Recommending the best vitamins, minerals, herbs and weight loss products for optimum health.