Stroke Survivors: Get Hip Protection

LifeSource Vitamins

Stroke victims have a high frequency of hip fractures for a number of reasons. Because they are often weak or paralyzed on one side of their body, they are at increased risk of falling. In addition, people who have had a stroke may become housebound and therefore unable to obtain the sunlight exposure needed to manufacture bone-protecting vitamin D. Stroke patients also tend to have elevated blood levels of homocysteine (a breakdown product of the amino acid methionine), a risk factor both for cardiovascular disease and for osteoporosis and fractures.

In the current study, participants were elderly people (average age, 71 years) who had suffered a stroke at least one year prior to the study. The average homocysteine level in the participants was above normal at the start of the study. Each person was randomly assigned to receive a combination of folic acid (5 mg per day) and vitamin B12 (1,500 mcg per day, as methylcobalamin) or a placebo for two years. These vitamins have been shown to reduce homocysteine levels and might, therefore, lower the risk of osteoporosis and of further cardiovascular problems. After two years, the average homocysteine concentration decreased by 38% in the group receiving the vitamins and increased by 31% in the placebo group.

During the study, hip fractures occurred in 1.9% of participants given the vitamin supplements and in 8.6% of those receiving the placebo. Thus, supplementing with folic acid and vitamin B12 reduced the incidence of hip fractures by 78%. Based on these results, the researchers calculated that, for every stroke patient treated with folic acid and vitamin B12 for two years, one hip fracture would be prevented.

Vitamin supplementation did not seem to prevent fractures by reducing the number of falls, since the frequency of falls was similar in the vitamin and placebo groups. Earlier studies suggested that homocysteine is toxic to bones, decreasing both bone density and the quality of bone tissue. Therefore, folic acid and vitamin B12 therapy probably prevented fractures by reducing the level of homocysteine in the body.

The results of this study demonstrate that stroke victims can reduce their chances of having a hip fracture by supplementing with folic acid and vitamin B12. Other people with high homocysteine levels might also benefit from taking these vitamins. In addition to folic acid and vitamin B12, several other nutrients play a role in lowering homocysteine levels, including vitamin B6, choline, and betaine.

Newswire (April 28, 2005)-People who have suffered a stroke are at high risk of sustaining a hip fracture in the years after their stroke; however, supplementing with folic acid and vitamin B12 can greatly reduce the chances that stroke victims will break a hip, reports the Journal of the American Medical Association (2005;293:1082-8).

Proudly Made in the USA!

Every LifeSource Vitamins product exceeds all regulatory standards and requirements set forth in the FDA's Code of Federal Regulation. ( 21 CFR, part 111 ) as well as all Good Manufacturing Practices enforced by the FDA. CGMP's provide for systems that assure proper design, monitoring, and control of manufacturing processes and facilities. ( CGMP ).

LifeSource Vitamins: Driven by Faith ~ Powered by God

Have Questions on this or any other product or health issue for you or a loved one? It can be overwhelming we know. Call us, we will walk you through what supplements will help you and which ones you really don’t need. It’s what we do! Toll-Free: 800-567-8122

LifeSource Vitamins – Founded in 1992

100% of our profits are donated to Christian Organizations like these and many others worldwide:

Campus Crusade for Christ - CRU

The Jesus Film Project

World Vision

The Tim Tebow Foundation

Compassion International

Samaritan’s Purse

The Herman and Sharron Show on CTN (Christian Television Network) and many more…

www.LifesourceVitamins.com

E-mail Us: [email protected]

or Call Us: 800.567.8122

We Are Built on Compassion - Driven by Faith & Powered by God!

*Disclaimer: None of the above statements have been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. As always, consult your physician before taking any and all supplements. LifeSource Vitamins. Individual results may vary.

Disclaimer: All the information contained throughout this website is based upon the opinions of the founder of LifeSource Vitamins, Bruce Brightman, and the entire team at LifeSource Vitamins whose relentless research and studies have been ongoing since 1992. Other articles and information are based on the opinions of the authors, who retain the copyright as marked in the article. The information on this site is not intended to replace your health care professional, but to enhance your relationship with them. Doing your own studying and research and taking your health care into your own hands is always best, especially in partnership with your health care professional.

If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have any medical conditions, always consult your health care professional before taking supplements based on the information on this site.

LifeSource Vitamins: from the nutrients we choose, to the way we run our business, we answer to God in all we do!