Is vitamin A consumption a risk factor for osteoporotic fracture?

Proc Nutr Soc. 2003 Nov;62(4):845-50. doi: 10.1079/PNS2003306.

Abstract

Severe vitamin A toxicity is known to have adverse effects on skeletal health. Studies involving animal models and case reports have documented that hypervitaminosis A is associated with bone resorption, hypercalcaemia and bone abnormalities. More recently, some epidemiological studies have suggested that high habitual intake of vitamin A could contribute to low bone mineral content and fracture risk. The evidence relating to the possible deleterious role of vitamin A in bone health is of variable quality and is potentially confounded by collinearity of nutrient intake and difficulties in assessing vitamin A exposure. Furthermore, because intake of vitamin A varies between studies it is not possible to define an intake threshold associated with harm.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Density / drug effects*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Fractures, Bone / epidemiology
  • Fractures, Bone / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hypervitaminosis A / complications*
  • Hypervitaminosis A / physiopathology
  • Osteoporosis / etiology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Vitamin A / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamin A / adverse effects
  • Vitamin A / physiology

Substances

  • Vitamin A