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Associations between serum vitamin E concentration and bone mineral density in the US elderly population

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Abstract

Summary

Mixed findings regarding effects of vitamin E on bone metabolism existed. We were the first to find a negative association between serum α-tocopherol concentration and bone mineral density in the US elderly population. Using vitamin E supplement as α-tocopherol to promote bone health was not warranted at this time.

Introduction

The aim of the study is to examine the associations between serum vitamin E (α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol) status and bone mineral density (BMD) among the US elderly population.

Methods

We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2006. This cross-sectional study finally included 989 subjects who were not having liver diseases, kidney diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, or cancers; were not treated for osteoporosis; and were not taking steroids or female hormones. Multivariable linear regression models were employed to examine the associations between serum vitamin E (α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol) concentration and BMDs of total spine and femoral neck after adjusting for covariates and potential confounders.

Results

Significant differences in serum α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol levels, dietary intake of vitamin E as α-tocopherol, and BMDs of total spine and femoral neck were presented between male and female participants. Serum α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol concentrations were found to be inversely correlated (r = −0.169, P < 0.001). In univariable linear models, significant negative associations between serum α-tocopherol and both total spine BMD (β = −0.0014, P = 0.002) and femoral neck BMD (β = −0.0017, P < 0.001) were found. Accounting for covariates, serum α-tocopherol level was negatively associated with femoral neck BMD (β = −0.0007, P = 0.028).

Conclusions

This study found a negative association between serum α-tocopherol concentration and femoral neck BMD in the US elderly population, suggesting a harmful effect of α-tocopherol on bone health. Future studies are warranted to further examine the dose-response relationships between individual vitamin E isomers and bone metabolism.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge grant support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 81373661).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250355, China

    J. Zhang & J. Zhang

  2. Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    J. Zhang

  3. School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

    X. Hu

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Correspondence to J. Zhang.

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Zhang, J., Hu, X. & Zhang, J. Associations between serum vitamin E concentration and bone mineral density in the US elderly population. Osteoporos Int 28, 1245–1253 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-016-3855-5

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