Pharmavite LLC, the makers of nature made vitamins, minerals and supplements, has published a study in the journal PLOS ONE which suggests that vitamin D deficiency is responsible for a higher risk of osteoporosis and poor bone health in men than women. Apart from vitamin D, calcium deficiency also affects the bone heath of men more than women.
Researchers examined inadequate nutrient intake and its relationship to poor bone health, specifically the risk of osteoporosis.
Researchers conducted study on Americans aged 50 year or above to examine the the relationship between markers of poverty with calcium and vitamin D intake and osteoporosis.
“This study continues to demonstrate how prevalent nutrient deficiency is among the US population, and even more so, among lower-income individuals and those with food insecurities,” said Susan Hazels Mitmesser from Pharmavite LLC, the makers of nature made vitamins, minerals and supplements, who conducted the study.
According to the study, poor people eat less calcium intake. They also have inadequate vitamin D intake.
Gender, ethnic, and socio-economic differences impact the overall risk for inadequate calcium and vitamin D intake and subsequent osteoporosis risk, as seen in some of the study key findings.
One of the important findings of the study is related to women. The study found that American women, aged 50 years or above, have inadequate calcium intake, irrespective of their economic status.
The research concludes that Inadequate intake of calcium and vitamin D affects poor Americans more than women concerning osteoporosis risk.
It has been estimated in the US population aged 50 and older, about 10.2 million suffer from osteoporosis, and 80 per cent of these affected cases are females.
Also, there are potentially 43.4 million people, or 44 per cent of the population with osteopenia, which is a bone condition that often leads to osteoporosis.
“Improving the consumption of nutrient-rich and fortified foods among individuals that live in poverty can help to decrease their chances of developing osteoporosis”, the study authors wrote.
