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The association between high plasma homocysteine levels and lower bone mineral density in Slovak women: the impact of vegetarian diet

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Abstract

Background

A long-term vegetarian diet is generally poor in vitamin B group. The lack of vitamin B12 together with vitamin B6 and folate deficiency is closely related to homocysteine metabolism. Hyperhomocysteinemia was found to be associated with increased bone turnover markers and increased fracture risk. Thus, hyperhomocysteinemia, vitamin B12 and folate deficiency may be regarded as novel risk factors for micronutrient deficiency-related osteoporosis.

Aim of the study

To assess the possible impact of a vegetarian diet on bone mineral density in cohort of Slovak vegetarian women.

Methods

Fasting serum glucose, albumin, calcium, phosphorous and creatinine as well as bone markers, serum vitamin B12, folate and plasma levels of total homocysteine were assessed in two nutritional groups (vegetarians vs. nonvegetarians) of apparently healthy women (age range 20–70 years). Bone mineral density of the femoral neck, trochanter, total femur and lumbar spine was measured in all subjects.

Results

Vegetarians had a significantly lower weight (p < 0.05), higher PTH (p < 0.01) and homocysteine (p < 0.001). Vitamin B12 was significantly higher in nonvegetarians (p < 0.001). No differences were observed in folate levels. Univariate analysis showed significant association between homocysteine and B12 (p < 0.01), folate (p < 0.001), creatinine (p < 0.001), total proteins (p < 0.049), age (p < 0.001) and vegetarian food intake (p < 0.001). Vegetarians had a significantly lower TrFBMD (p < 0.05) and ToFBMD (p < 0.05). Age and CTx were significant predictors in all sites of measured BMD and PTH. A strong correlation between homocysteine and FNBMD (r = −0.2009, p < 0.002), TrFBMD (r = −0.1810, p < 0.004) and ToFBMD (r = −0.2225, p < 0.001) was found in all subjects.

Conclusion

Homocysteine is one of the predictors of bone mineral density, and hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with lower bone mineral density. In healthy adults, homocysteine levels are dependent on age as well as on nutritional habits. Thus, elderly women on a vegetarian diet seem to be at higher risk of osteoporosis development than nonvegetarian women.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Mr. Daniel Lichtenberger for careful reading of the manuscript and helpful comments. This work was supported by Research and Development Support Agency under the contract No: APVT-21-010104 and APVT-21-017704.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacotherapy, Slovak Medical University, Limbová 12, 833 03, Bratislava, Slovakia

    Zora Krivošíková, Viera Spustová & Kornélia Štefíková

  2. Department of Bioactive Compounds and Nutrition Screening, Slovak Medical University, Limbová 12, 833 03, Bratislava, Slovakia

    Marica Krajčovičová-Kudláčková & Martina Valachovičová

  3. Hospital of Ministry of Defence, Cesta na Červený most 1, 833 31, Bratislava, Slovakia

    Pavel Blažíček

  4. Faculty of Health and Social Work, Trnava’s University, Univerzitné nám.1, 918 43, Trnava, Slovakia

    Tatiana Nĕmcová

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  1. Zora Krivošíková
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  2. Marica Krajčovičová-Kudláčková
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Correspondence to Zora Krivošíková.

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Krivošíková, Z., Krajčovičová-Kudláčková, M., Spustová, V. et al. The association between high plasma homocysteine levels and lower bone mineral density in Slovak women: the impact of vegetarian diet. Eur J Nutr 49, 147–153 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-009-0059-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-009-0059-1

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