High serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is associated with low incidence of stress fractures.
Quote:
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations are associated with hip fractures, but the dose-response relationship of serum 25(OH)D with risk of stress fractures in young women is unknown.
OBJECTIVE:
This nested case-control study in a cohort of female Navy recruits was designed to determine if those with low prediagnostic serum 25(OH)D concentrations had greater risk of stress fracture.
DESIGN:
Sera were drawn in 2002-2009 from 600 women who were subsequently diagnosed with stress fracture of the tibia or fibula, and 600 matched controls, who did not experience a stress fracture. The 25(OH)D concentration was measured using the DiaSorin radioimmunoassay method. Controls were individually matched to cases on race (White, Black, or other); length of service (� 30 days); and day blood was drawn (� 2 days).
RESULTS:
There was approximately half the risk of stress fracture in the top compared to bottom quintile of serum 25(OH)D concentration (OR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.34-0.76, p < 0.01). The range of serum 25(OH)D in the lowest quintile was 1.5-19.7 (Mean 13.9) ng/ml, while in the highest it was 39.9-112 (Mean 49.7) ng/ml.
CONCLUSIONS:
There was a monotonic inverse dose-response gradient between serum 25(OH)D and risk of stress fracture. There was double the risk of stress fractures of the tibia and fibula in women with serum 25(OH)D concentration < 20 ng/ml, compared to those with ≥ 40 ng/ml. A target for prevention of stress fractures would be a serum 25(OH)D concentration of > 40 ng/ml, achievable with 4000 IU/day vitamin D(3) supplementation. � 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Copyright � 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
|
For those unfamiliar with the≥ means equal to and above 40ng/ml or 100nmol/l and < 20 ng/ml means BELOW 20ng/ml or 50nmol/l the reason why 40ng/ml or 100nmol/l is critical for bone strength is that below that level we cannot be sure we are absorbing sufficient calcium from our diet and calcium absorption and control of calcium in the system is critical for maintaining bone strength. The problem for bone strength arises because calcium is used for lots of different enzyme actions in the body.
We can't have thoughts or move muscles without it therefore our body has to keep a certain amount in circulation and if we can't absorb it from our diet, because vitamin d level is too low, then our bones have to be robbed to keep heart/lungs/brain functioning appropriatedly, it's the continual action of taking calcium from the skeleton and replacing it that cause the weakness that leads to fractures. It's a bit like robbing the roof timbers and stud walls of your house for timber for the fire each night and then rebuilding the internal house structures during the day. While you can do this in an emergency and on the rare occasion to keep using your structural timbers as firewood isn't a smart idea.
In the same way it's better to have sufficient cash in hand rather than use long term savings for daily budgetting.
Bear in mind also that what works in the USA will NOT be sufficient further north.
While it may be the case that 4000iu/daily is sufficient in some parts of the USA to maintain 25(OH)D around the 40ng/ml mark it MAY NOT (probably won't) be sufficient above latitude 50N Do get reguarlar 25(OH)D tests and be aware that many people think the level humans naturally maintain living near naked in sunny climes and at which human breast milk is a complete vitamin d replete, food for human babies is 60ng/ml and that requires around 6400iu/daily and regular sun exposure to attain and maintain.
Vitamin D stress factures
Linear Mode
