Effect of 1 Year Vitamin D or D Plus B-vitamins on Bone Markers in Elderly People (KnoVIB)

Effect of 1 Year Vitamin D or D Plus B-vitamins on Bone Markers in Elderly People

The standard recommendation to prevent osteoporosis is to supplement low doses of vitamin D and calcium. Hyperhomocysteinemia has been related to increased risk of osteoporosis.

The current study aimed at investigating if homocysteine-lowering effect (low doses of B-vitamins) will add any measurable beneficial effect on bone markers when added to the standard recommendations for prevention of osteoporosis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age> 50 years,
• male and female

Exclusion Criteria:

• renal dysfunction,
• recent stroke or coronary event within the last 3 months,
• current cancer,
• antifolate treatment,
• ileum resection,
• existing B vitamins supplementation,
• megaloblastic anemia,
• osteoporotic patients treated with pharmacological doses of vitamin D or antiosteoporotic drugs.

Termination criteria were:

• indication for a high-dose vitamin B supplementation,
• coronary or vascular event,
• or surgical procedures during the study.