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A New Way to Prevent Hip Fractures

By Henry J. Fishman, M.D.
ConsumerAffairs.com

July 18, 2005
Decreasing the blood levels of a chemical called homocysteine, which has been linked to heart attacks, may help prevent hip fractures after a stroke.

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Researchers divided 628 stroke victims ages 65 and older into two groups. One took 5 milligrams of a vitamin called folate and some vitamin B12. The other group took placebos.

All the participants were paralyzed on one side of their body, hence at risk for falling and fracturing their hips.

Two years later, folks in both groups had fallen about the same number of times. However, those who took vitamins to lower their homocysteine level had six fractures, versus 27 in the placebo group.

Folks in the treated group had 38 percent lower levels of homocysteine, while those in the placebo group had 31 percent higher levels than when the study began. Consequently, while we don't know why, either increasing vitamin B12 or decreasing homocysteine, or both, after a stroke may help prevent fractures.

While it may not apply to healthy people, if you have had a stroke, ask your doctor about a folate and vitamin B12 supplement.

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