Low Levels of Vitamin B12 Linked to Osteoporosis
Nutrition by Vivian Goldschmidt, MA .

Low Levels of Vitamin B12 Linked to Osteoporosis

I’m sure you know that the most commonly used supplements to conquer or prevent osteoporosis are calcium and Vitamin D. While both of them have well-known proven benefits, you might not be aware that vitamin B12 may play an important role in your bone health.

A study conducted by epidemiologist Katherine Tucker at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging in Boston, found a link between B12 deficiency and osteoporosis in men, and later confirmed the link in women as well (Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, Volume 20, pages 152-158). The research was based on the vitamin B12 blood levels and bone health indicators of 2,576 men and women spanning from 30 to 87 years of age participating in the Framingham Osteoporosis Study.

At least for now, the mechanism by which vitamin B12 and bone health indicators are interrelated is not well understood. However, the study did confirm that both men and women with vitamin B12 levels lower than 148 picomoles per liter (pM/L) were at greater risk of an osteoporosis diagnosis than those with higher levels. Also, study subjects with B12 levels below 148 pM/L had significantly lower average bone mineral density (at the spine in women and at the hip in men) than those with higher levels of B12.

Besides the recently found bone health benefit, Vitamin B12 -also known as cyanocobalamin- plays many important roles in the body, such as the processing of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. It also helps make all of the blood cells, acts as a coenzyme in the synthesis and repair of DNA, and is required for maintenance of nerve sheaths.

A Vitamin B12 deficiency may result in pernicious anemia, a condition characterized by general weakness, numbness of the extremities, pallor, and other symptoms. Foods that contain the highest levels of B12 are liver, meat, fish, and yogurt.

During digestion, hydrochloric acid helps release vitamin B12 from the protein in food and then it is absorbed as it combines with the Intrinsic Factor, a mucoprotein made by the parietal cells in the stomach lining.

The good news is that the minimum requirement is only 2.4 micrograms a day -the amount in just three ounces of beef. However, approximately 30% of people older than 50 no longer have the ability to absorb adequate vitamin B12 from meat or dairy products. This is due to a lack of stomach acid production, as two articles by R. Carmel confirm (“Cobalamin, the stomach, and aging”, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1997;66:750-9 and “Prevalence of undiagnosed pernicious anemia in the elderly”, Archives of Internal Medicine, 1996;156:1097-100). Additionally, foods highest in B12 have an acidifying effect on the pH (except for plain yogurt), so, as I explain in the Save Our Bones Program, their consumption should be limited.

A word of caution: Proton Pump Inhibitor drugs such as Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid as well as drugs used to treat peptic ulcers (Tagamet, Pepsid, Zantac) can interfere with B12 absorption from food by reducing the release of hydrochloric acid into the stomach. Metformin, a diabetes drug, also indirectly affects the absorption of B12 because it interferes with calcium metabolism and B12 absorption requires calcium.

Your best bet is to take a multivitamin paying special attention to the levels of Vitamin B12 and the rest of the B complex vitamins, as they all act in synergy with each other. The other B-complex vitamins are thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid, and biotin.

If you liked this article, click the "Like" button for Facebook:

Save Our Bones Program

Why Suffer? Start Increasing Your Bone Density Naturally Now!

If you want to accelerate your bone building results with an easy to understand resource that reveals exactly what I and thousands of others in our community have used to increase our bone density naturally, then you absolutely have to check out the Save Our Bones Program.

It's filled with breakthrough, 'take-you-by-the-hand', nutritional, exercise, and lifestyle information that is proven to increase bone density naturally. The ‘Actions!’ at the end of the chapters outline exactly what to do and are all backed by over 100 scientific sources.

Discover how now »

Join the Conversation.  Leave a Comment.

Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

Vivian Goldschmidt, MA, is dedicated to sharing her health secrets through her books and publications. Vivian’s philosophy is simple: Armed with the true knowledge, anyone can achieve optimal health – and it’s lot simpler than we’re made to believe. Her revelations on modern “disease” continue to gain worldwide recognition.

363 Comments

  • Doris
    July 22, 2010
  • Janice Ball
    July 19, 2010
  • Margaret
    July 11, 2010
  • susie laraine
    July 11, 2010
  • Peggy
    July 10, 2010
  • Barbara Guthrie
    July 5, 2010
  • Carolyn
    June 22, 2010
  • John
    June 16, 2010
  • Marie Thompson
    June 16, 2010
  • Shirley Caminer
    June 15, 2010
  • Elizabeth Morrissey
    June 13, 2010
  • Irena Marta Evans
    June 13, 2010
  • Ruby
    May 26, 2010
  • Carol Smith
    May 19, 2010
  • nancy brainerd
    May 13, 2010
  • Jackie Waite
    May 13, 2010
  • Malibu Kim
    May 10, 2010
  • Sheryl Dompier
    May 8, 2010
    • Elizabeth Morrissey
      June 13, 2010
  • pat Paternostro
    May 5, 2010
  • Madelyn Guthrie
    May 3, 2010
  • diane couture
    May 3, 2010
  • Nu Ly
    May 3, 2010
  • Veronica
    May 1, 2010
  • toby z. liederman
    April 29, 2010
  • Carol Miller
    April 28, 2010
  • Bula Chick
    April 27, 2010
  • Eunice
    April 24, 2010
    • Bob Long
      July 25, 2010
  • Barbara Grace
    April 16, 2010
  • Freddie
    April 15, 2010
  • Fuyun Tsai
    March 31, 2010
    • Adriana O'Connor
      April 17, 2010
  • Arnaldo Perez Suarez
    March 31, 2010
  • Christine
    March 21, 2010
  • Claudette Ménard
    March 18, 2010
  • helen
    March 7, 2010
  • Carol
    March 6, 2010
  • Shirley Wetzel
    March 2, 2010
  • Linda Huffman
    March 1, 2010
  • Theresa
    February 20, 2010
  • Irene Smith
    February 18, 2010
  • myrtle barker
    February 17, 2010
  • Angie
    February 17, 2010
    • Elizabeth
      March 23, 2010
    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA
      May 13, 2010
  • Signe Clark
    February 11, 2010
    • kemble Johnson
      February 21, 2010
  • Florence Iovene
    February 9, 2010
  • Carla Gless
    February 9, 2010
    • Allison
      February 10, 2010
    • jenny
      March 1, 2010
  • Margie Shiffman
    February 8, 2010
  • tanya
    February 6, 2010
  • mARGARET aTKINSON
    January 29, 2010
  • Madeline Tatai
    January 14, 2010
  • carl stark
    January 11, 2010
  • Vickie Jenewein
    January 9, 2010
    • Signe Clark
      January 14, 2010
    • Harry
      January 21, 2010
    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA
      May 13, 2010
  • elle
    January 9, 2010
  • Merilyn Inman
    January 8, 2010
  • Renata De
    January 7, 2010
  • marksattler
    January 6, 2010
  • Ann
    January 5, 2010
  • Myrna
    January 3, 2010
  • RUTH
    January 3, 2010
  • Susan
    January 2, 2010
    • Renata De
      January 7, 2010
  • Mary Smith
    December 17, 2009
    • rosalinda
      December 29, 2009
  • crystal bohannon
    December 16, 2009
  • Carolyn Lease
    December 15, 2009
    • Mary Beth
      January 1, 2010
  • Dae
    December 15, 2009
  • Patricia
    December 12, 2009
  • Wilda Fancett
    December 7, 2009
  • Joan Martin
    December 7, 2009
    • Florence Iovene
      February 9, 2010
  • Marianne
    December 2, 2009
  • Linda Walker
    November 29, 2009
  • Ruth
    November 28, 2009
  • maria Fama
    November 24, 2009
  • Patricia Meder
    November 21, 2009
  • Molly
    November 20, 2009
  • Roberta
    November 20, 2009
    • Alison Scott
      January 4, 2010
      • Barbara
        April 20, 2010
  • consuelo pena
    November 19, 2009
  • Frances Kasper
    November 16, 2009
    • rosalinda
      December 29, 2009
  • Sharon
    November 15, 2009
  • Sherry Poirier
    November 13, 2009
  • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA
    November 9, 2009
    • Florence Iovene
      February 9, 2010
  • elisa olgin
    November 9, 2009
  • Norma Winans
    November 8, 2009
  • Margaret Coles
    November 5, 2009
  • Janet Miles
    November 4, 2009
  • Denise
    November 1, 2009
  • Carole Burke
    October 31, 2009
    • Carole Burke
      October 31, 2009
  • Julie Hernandez
    October 31, 2009
  • Audrey
    October 28, 2009
  • Judy Mead
    October 27, 2009
    • Babs
      October 28, 2009
  • Alice
    October 27, 2009
  • lisa connell
    October 25, 2009
  • Diane Miller
    October 24, 2009
  • Glenda
    October 23, 2009
    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA
      November 9, 2009
  • Glenda
    October 23, 2009
  • Pat Costello
    October 23, 2009
    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA
      November 9, 2009
  • Dee
    October 23, 2009
  • Barbara Cooley
    October 22, 2009
  • diana tatman
    October 22, 2009
  • Pat Boyd
    October 21, 2009
  • Carol Reed
    October 20, 2009
    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA
      November 9, 2009
    • Bob Long
      July 25, 2010
  • Llewellyn Drake
    October 19, 2009
    • Florence Iovene
      February 9, 2010
      • Florence Iovene
        February 9, 2010
  • DAVE in NJ
    October 18, 2009
  • S. Diane Mitchell
    October 16, 2009
    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA
      November 9, 2009
  • Jim de Castella
    October 16, 2009
  • Pasha
    October 16, 2009
  • Margaret Dunmore
    October 16, 2009
    • Florence Iovene
      February 9, 2010
  • Lisa Bronski
    October 14, 2009
    • Ellen
      October 27, 2009
    • Phyllis Wood
      July 12, 2010
  • Helen Schulman
    October 13, 2009
  • frankie
    October 12, 2009
  • Kermit Finstad
    October 8, 2009
  • Marilyn Hourihan
    October 7, 2009
  • toby z. liederman
    October 4, 2009
  • Lin
    October 2, 2009
  • Joan Alice Maria Gibson, Esq.
    October 1, 2009
  • Grace
    October 1, 2009
  • Kathy
    September 30, 2009
  • dora hasson
    September 27, 2009
  • Vickie
    September 26, 2009
  • elisa olgin
    September 25, 2009
  • Allan
    September 25, 2009
  • john
    September 23, 2009
  • Komala
    September 23, 2009
  • Linda
    September 23, 2009
  • robinette
    September 20, 2009
    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA
      November 9, 2009
  • Robin Kirschenbaum
    September 16, 2009
  • Maria S (UK)
    September 15, 2009
  • Rosemary Battaglia
    September 12, 2009
  • miriam
    September 6, 2009
    • Shirley Brooke
      January 25, 2010
  • Ella
    September 1, 2009
  • Celestina Marie
    August 30, 2009
  • Garnet Pace
    August 27, 2009
  • Elaine Schaeffer
    August 21, 2009
  • Doris Wilson
    August 21, 2009
  • Monica Phillips
    August 18, 2009
  • Carole Befus
    August 18, 2009
  • Catherine Sweeney
    August 17, 2009
    • Laurian Snowden
      August 21, 2009
    • Catherine
      October 1, 2009
    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA
      November 9, 2009
  • sally barr
    August 14, 2009
    • Amata Miller
      October 11, 2009
    • Lupe Lopez
      October 12, 2009
  • Elizabeth Harris
    August 10, 2009
    • Elene Shay
      August 10, 2009
      • Jean
        August 27, 2009
        • colleen gade
          August 27, 2009
      • Eliz
        September 5, 2009
        • Anne Horn
          February 13, 2010
    • Laurian Snowden
      August 21, 2009
      • Elaine Schaeffer
        August 21, 2009
  • Linda Grimes
    August 5, 2009
  • linda labonte
    August 4, 2009
  • pretoria
    August 4, 2009
    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA
      November 9, 2009
      • Molly
        November 20, 2009
  • Scherry D. Clifton
    August 2, 2009
  • Stephen Griffin
    July 31, 2009
  • Gloria
    July 29, 2009
    • Eliz
      September 5, 2009
  • Elizabeth M. Wright
    July 28, 2009
  • Gerri D
    July 27, 2009
  • Ivan
    July 25, 2009
    • Joan sandlin
      October 18, 2009
      • Joan sandlin
        October 18, 2009
  • Barbara McColl
    July 23, 2009
  • Marion
    July 23, 2009
  • Elizabeth
    July 22, 2009
  • Jo
    July 20, 2009
  • camen
    July 19, 2009
    • Florence Iovene
      February 9, 2010
  • sue willis
    July 17, 2009
  • Arlene
    July 16, 2009
  • JO R.
    July 14, 2009
    • Joan Martin
      December 7, 2009
  • Sherry Moeslein
    July 11, 2009
  • agnes
    July 11, 2009
  • Ronnie
    July 10, 2009
  • Jimmie Pickle
    July 9, 2009
  • Cathy Court (UK)
    July 7, 2009
    • Chris S (UK)
      July 9, 2009
      • Florence Iovene
        February 9, 2010
  • charlotte
    July 6, 2009
  • Mary
    July 6, 2009
  • Janet Miles
    July 5, 2009
  • Adrianna
    July 3, 2009
  • Anita
    July 1, 2009
  • Brenda Sande
    July 1, 2009
  • Kaye
    June 26, 2009
  • Georgia Kelm
    June 26, 2009
  • Carol Cook
    June 25, 2009
  • Pat Arden
    June 25, 2009
  • Eloise Price
    June 22, 2009
  • Carol
    June 21, 2009
  • Nina Bjelica
    June 20, 2009
  • Lauren Pinkster
    June 20, 2009
  • Gloria Megens
    June 17, 2009
  • Nina Crawford
    June 17, 2009
  • Helen
    June 15, 2009
  • Aileen Morehead
    June 15, 2009
  • Valerie Davies
    June 12, 2009
  • Jeri Loeffler and Adrianne Le Pore
    June 11, 2009
  • Barbara
    June 8, 2009
  • Judith Smith
    June 3, 2009
    • Joanne Morton
      December 7, 2009
  • Karen Martincic
    June 3, 2009
  • Pamela Taylor
    June 3, 2009
  • Renee Summers
    June 2, 2009
  • Doris Smith
    May 31, 2009
  • Carol Mitchell
    May 28, 2009
    • Sandy
      July 20, 2009
  • Carol Mitchell
    May 28, 2009
  • Carol Dryden
    May 27, 2009
  • Brenda Sande
    May 26, 2009
  • Diana Duncan
    May 26, 2009
  • Margie
    May 20, 2009
  • Pat Lynch
    May 18, 2009
  • julie davies
    May 18, 2009
  • Joann
    May 17, 2009
  • Edline Shelton
    May 12, 2009
  • sandy
    May 11, 2009
  • J B Egan
    May 10, 2009
  • Rolande Pinkerton
    May 9, 2009
    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA
      November 9, 2009
  • Dolores Hartley
    May 5, 2009
  • Mary Ellen Christ
    May 4, 2009
  • Marysia Dunlop
    May 2, 2009
  • Annette Lloyd
    April 29, 2009
  • Carolyn
    April 28, 2009
  • Marg
    April 27, 2009
  • Jeanne
    April 25, 2009
  • Junette Argyle
    April 18, 2009
  • Kathleen
    April 12, 2009
  • Cathy
    April 12, 2009
  • Fran
    April 12, 2009
  • Tillie Elmer
    April 10, 2009
  • Valerie
    April 9, 2009
  • Jane
    April 9, 2009
  • Sarah Albert
    April 8, 2009
  • Lynn R
    April 6, 2009
  • noreen
    April 6, 2009
  • CONCEPCIÓN E. DELGADO
    April 6, 2009
  • Edward
    April 6, 2009
  • Rhandi
    April 5, 2009
  • Maxine
    April 2, 2009
  • Maxine
    April 2, 2009
  • Vivian Hackett
    March 31, 2009
  • Claire Penland
    March 27, 2009
  • Stefania
    March 27, 2009
  • maria
    March 27, 2009
  • Ann
    March 24, 2009
    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA
      November 9, 2009
  • Marge
    March 19, 2009
  • Marilyn Thomas
    March 15, 2009
  • Suseela Dasari
    March 14, 2009
  • Dr. Tankersley
    March 11, 2009
  • Lois Bendix
    March 10, 2009
  • Marilyn L.
    March 8, 2009
  • Cheryl
    March 8, 2009
  • Debra Rhoades
    March 7, 2009
  • Leland Anderson
    March 7, 2009
  • Sandra Morgan
    March 7, 2009
  • Phyllis
    March 6, 2009
    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA
      November 9, 2009
  • Rosemary Bennett
    March 6, 2009
    • Millicent
      November 7, 2009
  • Katharine B
    March 3, 2009
  • mona
    February 28, 2009
  • Val Stopford
    February 26, 2009
  • Herbert Howton
    February 25, 2009
  • Vangie
    February 23, 2009
  • Erlinda C. Siaton
    February 22, 2009
  • Sandra Robertson
    February 21, 2009
  • Pamela Ward
    February 20, 2009
  • Susan
    February 19, 2009
  • patricia Miller
    February 19, 2009
  • Margaret Williams
    February 18, 2009
  • Julia
    February 18, 2009
  • Silvia
    February 17, 2009
  • Jayne
    February 17, 2009
  • pat
    February 17, 2009
  • gloria richardson
    February 17, 2009
  • Tejal
    February 15, 2009
  • Tejal
    February 15, 2009
  • susan baker
    February 15, 2009
  • Cary Davis
    February 15, 2009
    • Jean
      July 31, 2009
    • Florence Iovene
      February 9, 2010
  • Clara
    February 15, 2009
  • joyce
    February 15, 2009
  • Lee Baker
    February 14, 2009
  • Sandra
    February 14, 2009
  • gordana
    February 14, 2009
  • Judy
    February 14, 2009
  • Jeanne Rasmussen
    February 14, 2009
  • Sharyn
    February 14, 2009
  • Wendy
    February 14, 2009
  • Janet Barbera
    February 14, 2009
  • SUSAN PALMER
    February 14, 2009
  • Cheryll Valero
    February 14, 2009
  • B. Primus
    February 14, 2009
  • Corinne Saad
    February 14, 2009
  • Florence Brandwein
    February 14, 2009
  • Arlene Kubart
    February 13, 2009
  • Diana
    February 13, 2009
  • Cyndi
    February 13, 2009
  • helen Flora
    February 13, 2009
  • Lottie Bendele
    February 13, 2009
  • Jean Blackad
    February 13, 2009
  • Ellen Osmonson
    February 13, 2009
  • Joyce Alfrey
    February 13, 2009
  • Laurel Fulkerson
    February 13, 2009
  • jill
    February 13, 2009
  • Joanne Acerba
    February 13, 2009
  • Cookie Miller
    February 13, 2009
    • Robin Fink
      June 26, 2009
  • Elaine Langdon
    February 13, 2009
  • Margaret Preble
    February 13, 2009
    • jeanette dugall
      July 9, 2009
    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA
      November 9, 2009
  • eunice sokolowska
    February 13, 2009
  • Eva Krejci
    February 13, 2009
  • Carmel langin
    February 13, 2009
    • Nina Crawford
      June 17, 2009
      • Johnnie Peterson
        August 20, 2009
  • amy anderson
    February 13, 2009
  • Letty
    February 14, 2009
  • Susan
    February 15, 2009
  • karen
    February 15, 2009
  • karen
    February 15, 2009
  • karen
    February 15, 2009
  • Gloria Megens
    June 17, 2009
  • Sarah Norris
    September 26, 2009
  • Chris S (UK)
    July 14, 2009

Join the Conversation. Leave a Comment.

The purpose of this comment section is to encourage you to interact with the rest of the Save Our Bones Community. Thank you so much for joining the conversation!