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Carotenoids found to reduce hip fracture risk in lean men

Date:
December 16, 2012
Source:
International Osteoporosis Foundation
Summary:
A new study links carotenoids to decreased hip fracture risk in elderly, lean Chinese men.
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Speaking at the IOF Regionals Asia-Pacific Osteoporosis Meeting, researchers from the National University of Singapore and the Singapore Ministry of Health, announced a study which links carotenoids to decreased hip fracture risk in elderly, lean Chinese men. Elderly who are lean (BMI <20 kg/m2) are at higher risk of hip fracture compared to those with higher BMI.

In the study, the researchers examined the association between dietary antioxidant carotenoids and hip fracture risk across a range of BMI in elderly Chinese men and women using data from the Singapore Chinese Health Study. This population-based, cohort prospective study recruited 63,257 men and women aged 45 years between 1993. In this group, a total of 1,630 incident hip fractures up to December 2010 were identified via record linkage with the nationwide hospital discharge database.

Importantly, the study found that low BMI is a stronger risk factor for hip fracture risk among elderly men compared to women.

Also, in men, hip fracture risk decreased with increasing intakes of total vegetables and of total carotenoids, particularly β-carotene. The protective effect was higher in lean men than in men with higher BMI. In contrast, the intake of vegetables or carotenoids had no association with hip fracture risk in women, regardless of levels of BMI.

Cartenoids, which are found many fruits and vegetables (and especially in yellow and orange pigmented vegetables) are converted to vitamin A in the body. The researchers conclude that clinical trials are needed to demonstrate the efficacy of carotenoid supplementation on reduction of hip fracture risk in elderly men. The findings may have important public health implications on hip fracture prevention, particularly among Asians.

Abstracts from the IOF Regionals 3rd Asia-Pacific Osteoporosis Meeting have been published in the scientific journal Osteoporosis International.


Story Source:

Materials provided by International Osteoporosis Foundation. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Z. Dai, L-W Ang, W-P Koh. OC12 Dietary carotenoids reduced hip fracture risk in lean men: the Singapore Chinese Health Study. Osteoporos Int, Vol. 23 Suppl 7

Cite This Page:

International Osteoporosis Foundation. "Carotenoids found to reduce hip fracture risk in lean men." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 16 December 2012. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121216132522.htm>.
International Osteoporosis Foundation. (2012, December 16). Carotenoids found to reduce hip fracture risk in lean men. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121216132522.htm
International Osteoporosis Foundation. "Carotenoids found to reduce hip fracture risk in lean men." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121216132522.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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