Research suggests that cardiovascular disease and bone loss are interwoven.
Recently, a 1-year placebo-controlled trial was conducted on middle-aged women with normal or low bone mineral density. Their were twenty subjects in each of three groups. One group took a daily placebo, one group a daily calcium carbonate, and the third group took calcium carbonate combined with vitamin C, vitamin B6 and proline. Urinary pyridoxic acid (used to assess treatment compliance), plasma homocysteine, serum lipids and lipoproteins were measured before and after nutritional intervention.
At the begining of the study most groups were comparable. At the end of the study, no significant changes had occurred in the placebo group and calcium supplement alone groups. However the group who took calcium carbonate combined with vitamin C, vitamin B6 and proline had favorable results. This group achieved a 4% reduction of total cholesterol, a 7% reduction of LDL and a 25% reduction in triglycerides. Additionally, the vitamin C, vitamin B6/proline supplemented group achieved a 14% increase of HDL (the good cholesterol) and a reduction in homocysteine.
Vitamins C (500 mg) and B6 (75 mg) combined with proline had consistent beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease risk factors: calcium alone did not. As such, for menopausal and postmenopausal women stepping up nutritional and dietary supplement intervention for nurturing bones will also benefit cardio-vascular health.
Source:
Cardiovascular disease-risk factors in middle-aged osteopaenic women treated with calcium alone or combined to three nutrients essential to artery and bone collagen
Dr Priscilla G. Massé
Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Volume 21 Issue 2 Page 117-128, April 2008
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