Carotenoids Reduce Hip Fracture Risk In Men With Lower BMI

Lean elders with (BMI <20 kg/m2) are at higher risk of hip fracture compared to those with higher BMI. Researchers have suggested that intake of carotenoids could reduce the fracture risk among them. 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.

Source-Eurekalert