Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Increased calcium intake was linked to a marker that showed it reduced the risk of osteoporosis and other sclerosis.
Osteoporosis and atherosclerosis are major health burdens in an aging society and the two frequently coexist (1). Osteoporosis of the hip affects 4.5 million women over the age of 50 (2) and atherosclerosis effects approximately 4.6 million people in the United States (3). One possible connection between the two diseases is elevated homocysteine levels. Recent research has found a correlation between higher homocysteine levels and lower calcium intake (1).
Homocysteine is an amino acid that is most commonly acquired from eating meat (4). Homocysteine is regulated by enzymes and B-vitamins, but it is still not completely understood how homocysteine is metabolized in the body (1). Although because research is showing elevated homocysteine levels are a risk factor for osteoporosis (5) and atherosclerosis (6), it is important to research.
The recent research included 713 post-menopausal women from Japan, with an average age of 65.1 +/- 9.8 years. Dietary intake was assessed by a 28-item food frequency questionnaire (Food Frequency Questionnaire for the Prevention and Management of Osteoporosis) (1).
The average intake of calcium was 543 +/- 159 mg per day and the total calorie intake was 1,612 +/- 251 kcal per day. This calcium intake was approximately 30% less than what was observed in American women, who had an average intake of 757 +/- 354 mg per day in the Framingham Osteoporosis Study (7).
To study the correlations, daily calcium intake levels were divided into three groups, also called tertiles, ranging from low to high daily intakes. The average calcium levels were as follows:
- Tertile 1: 379.6 +/- 76.6 mg per day (n=235),
- Tertile 2: 536.1 +/- 34.7 mg per day (n=242) and
- Tertile 3: 712.9 +/- 115.6 mg per day (n=236) (1)
The average homocysteine levels were lower in the second and third tertiles of calcium intake compared to the first tertile (-0.57 nmol/mL (p=0.04) and -1.18 nmol/mL (p<0.01) respectively). This shows that low dietary calcium is significantly associated with elevated homocysteine levels (1).
In conclusion, low intakes of dietary calcium are associated with elevated levels of homocysteine, which can increase the risk for osteoporosis and atherosclerosis. Until this research, the association between low calcium intake and high homocysteine levels had not been studied. It is important to note this is a cross-sectional study, meaning observations and correlations can be made, but future double-blinded research should be conducted to further study this observation (1).
Source: Tanaka, Shiro, et al. “Low calcium intake is associated with high plasma homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women.” Journal of bone and mineral metabolism 32.3 (2014): 317-323.
© 2013, The Japanese Society for Bone and Mineral Research and Springer Japan
Posted October 15, 2013.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Tanaka, S et al. Low calcium intake is associated with high plasma homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women. 2013 J Bone Miner Metab doi:10.1007/s00774-013-0499-9.
- Osteoporosis. FastStats. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Statistics about Atherosclerosis. Right Diagnosis.
- Heart Disease and Homocysteine. WebMD.
- McLean RR, et al. Homocysteine as a predictive factor for hip fracture in older persons. 2004 N Engl J Med 350:2042–2049.
- Humphrey LL, et al. Homocysteine level and coronary heart disease incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2008 Mayo Clin Proc 83:1203–1212.
- Selhub J, et al. Vitamin status and intake as primary determinants of homocysteinemia in an elderly population. 1993. JAMA 270:2693–2698
