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Folic Acid and B-12 Reduces Risk of Hip Fractures
After Stroke in Elderly Men and Women
Age Related Health Problems
As people age there is an increase risk of health problems, especially
if a healthy lifestyle of diet, exercise, and proper supplementation is
not practiced. One such risk is hip fracture. Research has revealed that
this risk can increase two to four times after the person suffers a stroke
in elderly men and women.
Abnormally High Homocysteine
Levels Increase Risk
This risk comes from abnormal levels of homocysteine, a metabolic by-product
of protein digestion. Abnormally high homocysteine levels, or hyperhomocysteinemia,
increases the risk for ischemic stroke, reduced oxygenated blood to the
brain, and osteoporotic factors, as homocysteine destroys the collagen
matrix of bone tissue weakening its structure. According to Japanese researchers
supplementing with folic acid and B-12 appears to cut the risk of a hip
fracture after a stroke in elderly men and women.
Double Blind Randomized
Controlled Study with A Two Year Follow Up
In this study 628 patients from a Japanese hospital 65 years or older
with residual hemiplegia, or residual paralysis of one side of the body,
at least 1 year following the first ischemic stroke were selected. The
patients were broken down into two groups, one receiving either 5 milligrams
per deciliter of folic acid and 1,500 micrograms per deciliter of B-12,
and the other a placebo. Before the administration of the supplements
patients in both groups had high levels of homocysteine in the blood and
low levels of B-12 and folic acid. The study lasted two years, from April
1, 2000, to May 31, 2001.
Results of the Study
The patients receiving B-12 and folic acid had decreased their blood levels
of homocysteine by 38%, while the patients who received the placebo had
an increase of 31%. The number of hip fractures per 1,000 patient years
in each group was 10 for the ones who received the B-12 and folic acid,
but was higher, 43, for the placebo group.
Conclusion
This Japanese study reveals that there is a 7.1 percent decline in absolute
risk reduction for a hip fracture. And, that the vitamins B-12 and folic
acid are safe and effective in reducing the risk of a hip fracture in
elderly patients following a stroke.
Source:
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA. 2005;293:1082-1088.)
