Jessica Oakley

Nutrition 313
3/11/09
Oral Debate Abstract

Vitamin A and Bone Health

Introduction
Osteoporosis is a disease of low bone mass and attendant skeletal fragility, and
becomes a major health problem with advancing age (1). The pathogenesis of this disease
has several aspects including nutritional practices, which can contribute to bone loss (1).
Recently, special attention has been paid to dietary factors that could potentially increase
bone loss and osteoporosis. Much recent attention has been focused on the negative
effects vitamin A could have on bone fracture risk (2). Some case studies have found that
high vitamin A intake could possibly account for a component of fracture risk (1) and
also that it may increase bone resorption (2). However, other studies have reported no
association with vitamin A and bone fracture risk (3).

Objective
The purpose of this project is to examine the association between vitamin A
intake and the risk of bone fracture and osteoporosis. Current information has delivered
conflicting results and the objective is to review current studies that have focused on
vitamin A intake and its association with bone turnover, bone mass, and bone fracture.

Materials and Methods

Populations of men (1) and women (2, 3) were enrolled in studies to test the
effects of vitamin A on bone health. High doses of vitamin A were given to subjects (1),
dietary assessments were performed (3), fasting blood samples were taken (2), and bone
fractures were recorded for participants (2, 3). A placebo group was also enrolled in the
study (1).

Results
Over the course of the study, serum markers of skeletal turnover were not affected
by vitamin A supplementation (1). No association was found between total vitamin A or
retinol intake and risk of total fracture (3). No dose-response relation was observed (3).
Vitamin A status and serum retinol was not predictive of any osteoporotic fracture (2).

Summary and Discussion

None of the results produced were able to prove the hypothesis that increased
vitamin A intake was associated with bone fractures or osteoporosis. Risk of fracture was
not associated with any of the serum markers (1, 2). Dietary and supplemental intakes of
vitamin A, along with calcium and vitamin D, are important to take into account in the
prevention of osteoporosis, and more studies would be necessary to prove any relation
between increased vitamin A intake and negative bone health (3).
 Jessica Oakley
Nutrition 313
3/11/09
Oral Debate Abstract

References

1. Kawahara, T. N., Krueger, D. C., Engelke, J. A., Harke, J. M., and Binkley, N. C.
(2002) Short-Term Vitamin A Supplementation Does Not Affect Bone Turnover in Men.
J. Nutr. 132: 1169-1172.

2. Barker, M. E., McColskey, E., Saha, S., Gossiel, F., Charlesworth, D., Powers, H. J.,
and Blumsohn, A. (2005) Serum Retinoids and Beta-Carotene as Predictors of Hip and
Other Fractures in Elderly Women. J Bone Miner Res 2005;20:913-920.

3. Caire-Juvera, G., Ritenbaugh, C., Wactawski-Wende, J., Snetselaar, L. G., and Chen,
Z. (2009) Vitamin A and retinol intakes and the risk of fractures among participants of
the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study. Am J Clin Nutr 89: 323-330.