Vitamin K intake and bone mineral density in women and men

BACKGROUND: Low dietary vitamin K intake has been associated with an increased risk of hip fracture in men and women. Few data exist on the association between dietary vitamin K intake and bone mineral density (BMD). OBJECTIVE: We studied cross-sectional associations between self-reported dietary vitamin K intake and BMD of the hip and spine in men and women aged 29-86 y. DESIGN: BMD was measured at the hip and spine in 1112 men and 1479 women (macro x +/- SD age: 59 +/- 9 y) who participated in the Framingham Heart Study (1996-2000). Dietary and supplemental intakes of vitamin K were assessed with the use of a food-frequency questionnaire. Additional covariates included age, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol use, physical activity score, and menopause status and current estrogen use among the women. RESULTS: Women in the lowest quartile of vitamin K intake (macro x: 70.2 microg/d) had significantly (P < or = 0.005) lower mean (+/- SEM) BMD at the femoral neck (0.854 +/- 0.006 g/cm(2)) and spine (1.140 +/- 0.010 g/cm(2)) than did those in the highest quartile of vitamin K intake (macro x: 309 microg/d): 0.888 +/- 0.006 and 1.190 +/- 0.010 g/cm(2), respectively. These associations remained after potential confounders were controlled for and after stratification by age or supplement use. No significant association was found between dietary vitamin K intake and BMD in men. CONCLUSIONS: Low dietary vitamin K intake was associated with low BMD in women, consistent with previous reports that low dietary vitamin K intake is associated with an increased risk of hip fracture. In contrast, there was no association between dietary vitamin K intake and BMD in men.     

Cigarette smoking and bone mineral density in older men and women.

OBJECTIVES. The association between cigarette smoking and bone mineral density was examined prospectively in a population-based study of older Caucasian men and women. METHODS. Smoking patterns were determined at a 1972-1974 baseline evaluation and, again, 16 years later when 544 men and 822 women had bone mineral density measurements taken. RESULTS. Men and women who were cigarette smokers at baseline demonstrated significantly reduced bone mineral density of the hip compared with nonsmokers. Baseline smoking was not associated with significantly lower bone density at non-hip sites. Women demonstrated a significant dose-response relationship between baseline smoking status at all hip sites measured. Both sexes exhibited significant dose-response relationships between hip bone mineral density and change in smoking status between baseline and follow-up, demonstrating that smoking cessation in later life was beneficial in halting bone density loss associated with smoking. CONCLUSIONS. Smoking was positively and significantly associated with decreased hip bone mineral density in old age. Bone loss associated with smoking would be expected to predict an increased risk of hip fracture in those who do not succumb earlier to another complication of tobacco use.     

Tea drinking and bone mineral density in older women

BACKGROUND: High caffeine intake is reportedly a risk factor for reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in women. Most studies, however, are from populations in which coffee drinking predominates and is the major caffeine source. Tea contains caffeine but also has other nutrients, such as flavonoids, that may influence bone mass in different ways. OBJECTIVE: We examined the relation between tea drinking and BMD in older women in Britain, where tea drinking is common. METHODS: We measured BMD at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, greater trochanter, and Ward's triangle in 1256 free-living women aged 65-76 y in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Tea drinking was assessed by self-completed questionnaire and women were categorized as tea drinkers or non-tea drinkers. RESULTS: There were 1134 tea drinkers (90.3%) and 122 non-tea drinkers (9.7%). Compared with non-tea drinkers, tea drinkers had significantly greater ( approximately 5%) mean BMD measurements, adjusted for age and body mass index, at the lumbar spine (0.033 g/cm(2); P = 0.03), greater trochanter (0.028 g/cm(2); P = 0.004), and Ward's triangle (0.025 g/cm(2); P = 0.02). Differences at the femoral neck (0.013 g/cm(2)) were not significant. These findings were independent of smoking status, use of hormone replacement therapy, coffee drinking, and whether milk was added to tea. CONCLUSIONS: Older women who drank tea had higher BMD measurements than did those who did not drink tea. Nutrients found in tea, such as flavonoids, may influence BMD. Tea drinking may protect against osteoporosis in older women.     

Vitamin B-12 status is associated with bone mineral content and bone mineral density in frail elderly women but not in men

Subclinical vitamin B-12 deficiency is common in the elderly. Encouraged by early indications, we investigated the plasma vitamin B-12 status in association with bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in frail elderly people. Data of 194 free-living Dutch frail elderly (143 women and 51 men) were available. BMC and BMD were measured by dual energy X-ray analysis. Biochemical analyses were performed on plasma or serum including vitamin B-12, methylmalonic acid, homocysteine, 25-hydroxy vitamin D and parathyroid hormone. Women had higher plasma vitamin B-12 (288 and 238 pmol/L, respectively) and lower plasma homocysteine levels (15.8 and 21.3 micro mol/L, respectively) than men. Of the total explained variance of BMC and BMD in women (46 and 22%, respectively), 1.3-3.1% was explained by plasma vitamin B-12, in addition to weight and height or energy intake. In men, the variance of BMC and BMD was explained by weight, smoking and/or height (total R(2) was 53 and 25%, respectively), but not by plasma vitamin B-12. Osteoporosis occurred more often among women whose vitamin B-12 status was considered marginal or deficient than in women with a normal status, i.e., the prevalence odds ratios (after adjustment for weight, age and calcium intake) (95% confidence intervals) were 4.5 (0.8;24.8) and 6.9 (1.2;39.4), respectively. These results suggest that vitamin B-12 status is associated with bone health in elderly women. Future studies on bone health should take into account a possible role of vitamin B-12 status in different populations.     

Vitamin D supplementation and bone mineral density in early postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND: Increased vitamin D intake may preserve or increase bone mineral density (BMD) in older persons. OBJECTIVE: A 2-y double-blind study was undertaken to determine whether weekly administration of 10 000 units of vitamin D(2) maintained or increased BMD in younger postmenopausal women more efficiently than did calcium supplements alone. DESIGN: One hundred eighty-seven women who were >or= 1 y postmenopausal were randomly assigned to take either 1000 mg Ca/d after the evening meal or 1000 mg Ca/d plus 10 000 U vitamin D(2)/wk in a double-blind, placebo-controlled format. The BMD of the proximal forearm, lumbar spine, femoral neck, Ward's triangle, and femoral trochanter was measured at 6-mo intervals by osteodensitometry. RESULTS: During the 2-y period, there was no significant difference in the change in BMD at any site between the subjects taking calcium supplements and those taking calcium plus vitamin D(2). Both groups significantly (P < 0.005) gained BMD in Ward's triangle and the femoral trochanter but significantly (P < 0.005) lost bone in the proximal radius. There was no significant change in the lumbar spine or femoral neck BMD. CONCLUSION: In younger postmenopausal women ( age: 56 y) whose average baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was well within the normal range, the addition of 10 000 U vitamin D(2)/wk to calcium supplementation at 1000 mg/d did not confer benefits on BMD beyond those achieved with calcium supplementation alone.     

Lifetime milk consumption and bone mineral density in older women.

This study examined the relationship between lifetime milk consumption both axial and appendicular bone mineral density in 581 postmenopausal White women. Positive significant, graded associations between milk consumption in adulthood and bone mineral density at the spine, total hip, trochanter, intertrochanter, and midradius, but not the ultradistal wrist or femoral neck, were observed. Adolescent milk consumption showed similar, statistically significant associations (spine and midradius). Associations were independent of age, body mass index, years postmenopausal, thiazide, estrogen and alcohol use, smoking, and exercise. Regular milk consumption in youth and adulthood is associated with better bone mineral density at cortical and trabecular sites in elderly women.     

Vitamin K supplementation does not significantly impact bone mineral density and biochemical markers of bone in pre- and perimenopausal women

Because of its role in osteoblastic metabolism, vitamin K has been studied with respect to bone. However, there has been limited research examining the influence of long-term vitamin K supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the impact of 6 months of vitamin K supplementation on BMD and biomarkers of bone in pre- and perimenopausal women. Based on previous work, we hypothesized that vitamin K would improve BMD and biochemical markers of bone formation. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial is an effective way to study the impact of long-term supplementation. Thus, 14 pre- and perimenopausal women, 25 to 50 years of age, were randomly assigned to an experimental group (E) that received 600 μg/d of vitamin K in the form of phylloquinone (K₁) or a control group (C) that received identical-looking placebo tablets. Regional BMD and percent body fat, measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and serum osteocalcin and urinary N-telopeptide levels were all assessed at 0, 3, and 6 months. When BMD was measured across time, C had a significant increase (P = .011) in greater trochanter BMD compared to E. The E group had a nonsignificant increase (P = .067) in shaft BMD compared to the C group. There was no significant difference between E and C in serum osteocalcin concentrations over time. Urinary N-telopeptide levels increased significantly over time in E compared to C (P = .008). Six months of 600 μg/d vitamin K₁ supplementation did not improve regional BMD in this group of pre- and perimenopausal women.     

Creatine monohydrate and resistance training increase bone mineral content and density in older men

Our purpose was to determine the effects of creatine supplementation combined with resistance training on bone mineral content and density in older men. Twenty-nine older men (age 71 y) were randomized (double blind) to receive creatine (0.3 g/kg creatine for 5 d and 0.07 g/kg thereafter) or placebo while participating in resistance training (12 weeks). Bone mineral content and density were determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry before and after training. There was a time main effect for whole-body and leg bone mineral density (p < or = 0.05) with these measures increasing by approximately 0.5%, and 1%, respectively in the combined groups. There was a group by time interaction for arms bone mineral content, with the group receiving creatine increasing by 3.2% (p < 0.01) and the group receiving placebo decreasing by 1.0% (not significant). Changes in lean tissue mass of the arms correlated with changes in bone mineral content of the arms (r = 0.67; p < 0.01). Resistance training of 12 weeks increases bone mineral density in older men and creatine supplementation may provide an additional benefit for increasing regional bone mineral content. The increase in bone mineral content may be due to an enhanced muscle mass with creatine, with potentially greater tension on bone at sites of muscle attachment.     

Dihydrophylloquinone intake is associated with low bone mineral density in men and women

BACKGROUND: Poor diet may affect bone status by displacing nutrients involved in bone health. Dihydrophylloquinone, a form of vitamin K present in foods made with partially hydrogenated fat, is a potential marker of a low-quality dietary pattern. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to examine the cross-sectional associations between dihydrophylloquinone intake and bone mineral density (BMD) of the hip and spine in men and women. DESIGN: Dihydrophylloquinone intake was estimated with a food-frequency questionnaire, and BMD (in g/cm(2)) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 2544 men and women (mean age: 58.5 y) who had participated in the Framingham Offspring Study. General linear models were used to examine the associations between dihydrophylloquinone intake (in tertiles: <15.5, 15.5-29.5, and >29.5 microg/d) and hip and spine BMD after adjustment for age, body mass index, energy intake, calcium intake, vitamin D intake, smoking status, physical activity score, and, for women, menopause status and estrogen use. RESULTS: Higher dihydrophylloquinone intakes were associated with lower mean BMD at the femoral neck [lowest-to-highest tertiles (95% CI): 0.934 (0.925, 0.942), 0.927 (0.919, 0.935), and 0.917 (0.908, 0.926), P for trend = 0.02], the trochanter [lowest-to-highest tertiles (95% CI): 0.811 (0.802, 0.820), 0.805 (0.797, 0.813), and 0.795 (0.786, 0.804), P for trend = 0.02], and the spine [lowest-to-highest tertiles (95% CI): 1.250 (1.236, 1.264), 1.243 (1.242, 1.229), and 1.227 (1.213, 1.242), P for trend = 0.03] in men and women after adjustment for the covariates. Further adjustment for markers of healthy and low-quality dietary patterns did not affect the observed associations. CONCLUSIONS: Higher dihydrophylloquinone intakes are associated with lower BMD in men and women. This association remains significant after adjustment for other markers of diet quality.     

Relationship between vitamin K status, bone mineral density, and hs-CRP in young Korean women

Vitamin K intake has been reported as an essential factor for bone formation. The current study was conducted under the hypothesis that insufficient vitamin K intake would affect inflammatory markers and bone mineral density in young adult women. The study was a cross-sectional design that included 75 women in their 20s. Physical assessments, bone mineral density measurements, 24-hr dietary recalls, and biochemical assessments for high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and percentages of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (%ucOC) were performed. An analysis of vitamin K nutritional status was performed comparing first, second, and third tertiles of intake based on %ucOC in plasma. Vitamin K intake levels in the first, second, and third tertiles were 94.88 ± 51.48 µg, 73.85 ± 45.15 µg, and 62.58 ± 39.92 µg, respectively (P < 0.05). The T-scores of the first and third tertiles were 1.06 and -0.03, respectively, indicating that bone mineral density was significantly lower in the group with lower vitamin K intake (P < 0.05). There was a tendency for different serum hs-CRP concentrations between the first (0.04 ± 0.02) and third tertiles (0.11 ± 0.18), however this was not statistically significant. Regression analysis was performed to identify the correlations between vitamin K nutritional status, inflammatory markers, and bone mineral density after adjusting for age and BMI. Serum hs-CRP concentrations were positively correlated with vitamin K deficiency status (P < 0.05). And bone mineral density, which was represented by speed, was negatively correlated with vitamin K deficiency status (P < 0.05). In conclusion, status of vitamin K affects inflammatory status and bone formation. Therefore, sufficient intake of vitamin K is required to secure peak bone mass in young adult women.     

Dietary vitamin K intakes are associated with hip fracture but not with bone mineral density in elderly men and women

BACKGROUND: Vitamin K has been associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and risk of hip fracture. The apolipoprotein (apo) E4 allele (APOE*E4) has been associated with bone fracture through a putative effect on vitamin K transport in blood. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the associations between vitamin K intake, apo E genotype, BMD, and hip fracture in a population-based cohort of elderly men and women. DESIGN: Dietary vitamin K intake was assessed with a food-frequency questionnaire in 335 men and 553 women (average age: 75.2 y) participating in the Framingham Heart Study in 1988-1989. Incidence of hip fractures was recorded from 1988 to 1995. BMD at the hip, spine, and arm was assessed on 2 separate occasions (1988-1989 and 1992-1993). Comparisons between apo E genotype and BMD were made relative to E4 allele status (at least 1 epsilon4 allele compared with no epsilon4 allele). RESULTS: Individuals in the highest quartile of vitamin K intake (median: 254 microg/d) had a significantly lower fully adjusted relative risk (0.35; 95% CI: 0. 13, 0.94) of hip fracture than did those in the lowest quartile of intake (median: 56 microg/d). There were no associations between vitamin K intake and BMD in either men or women. No association was found between the E4 allele and BMD, and there were no significant interactions between the E4 allele and phylloquinone intake and BMD or hip fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Low vitamin K intakes were associated with an increased incidence of hip fractures in this cohort of elderly men and women. Neither low vitamin K intake nor E4 allele status was associated with low BMD.     

Dietary acid load is not associated with lower bone mineral density except in older men

High dietary acid load may be detrimental to bone mineral density (BMD), although sufficient calcium intake might neutralize this effect. In observational studies, the association between BMD and dietary acid load, estimated by net endogenous acid production (NEAP) and potential renal acid load (PRAL), has been inconsistent, and the potential modifying effect of calcium intake has not been assessed. We therefore examined the cross-sectional associations of estimated NEAP and PRAL with BMD in the Framingham Osteoporosis Study. We hypothesized that higher estimated NEAP and PRAL would be associated with lower BMD, but only among those with total calcium intake < 800 mg/d. BMD of the femoral neck and lumbar spine was measured, and estimated NEAP and PRAL were calculated via FFQ among 1069 Framingham Original (1988-1989, 1992-1993; 62% women, mean age 76 y) and 2919 Offspring (1996-2001; 56% women, mean age 60 y) cohort participants. Cohort- and sex-specific ANCOVA was used to calculate multivariable-adjusted mean BMD for estimated NEAP and PRAL quartiles. Assuming no uncontrolled confounding, estimated NEAP, but not PRAL, was inversely associated with femoral neck BMD (P-trend = 0.04) in Original cohort men, whereas neither was associated with lumbar spine BMD. Estimated NEAP and PRAL were not associated with BMD at any site among Original cohort women or Offspring cohort men and women. There were no significant interactions between either estimated NEAP or PRAL and total calcium intake. These results suggest that, with a possible exception of older men, dietary acid load does not have a measureable negative effect on bone health, regardless of total calcium intake.     

Chocolate consumption and bone density in older women

BACKGROUND: Nutrition is important for the development and maintenance of bone structure and for the prevention of osteoporosis and fracture. The relation of chocolate intake with bone has yet to be investigated. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the relation of chocolate consumption with measurements of whole-body and regional bone density and strength. DESIGN: Randomly selected women aged 70-85 y (n=1460) were recruited from the general population to a randomized controlled trial of calcium supplementation and fracture risk. We present here a cross-sectional analysis of 1001 of these women. Bone density and strength were measured with the use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, peripheral quantitative computed tomography, and quantitative ultrasonography. Frequency of chocolate intake was assessed with the use of a questionnaire and condensed into 3 categories: <1 time/wk, 1-6 times/wk, >or=1 time/d. RESULTS: Higher frequency of chocolate consumption was linearly related to lower bone density and strength (P<0.05). Daily (>or=1 times/d) consumption of chocolate, in comparison to <1 time/wk, was associated with a 3.1% lower whole-body bone density; with similarly lower bone density of the total hip, femoral neck, tibia, and heel; and with lower bone strength in the tibia and the heel (P<0.05, for all). Adjustment for covariates did not influence interpretation of the results. CONCLUSIONS: Older women who consume chocolate daily had lower bone density and strength. Additional cross-sectional and longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these observations. Confirmation of these findings could have important implications for prevention of osteoporotic fracture.     

女性人群骨密度分布描述及其预测模型的研究

目的通过了解农村地区成年女性人群骨矿物质密度随年龄的变化趋势及年龄、身高、体重、绝经年限对骨密度的独立作用,建立骨密度的预测模型。方法根据统一的问卷收集了3008对农村女性双生子的人口学特征及环境资料,利用美国Norland公司生产的外周双能X光吸收骨密度仪(pDXA)测定腰椎、髋部及前臂近端桡骨骨密度。采用SAS6·12软件包及SPLUS进行数据分析。结果研究的结局变量为腰椎、股骨颈、股骨三角区、大转子、手臂骨及全身骨6个部位的骨密度。不同部位的骨密度值在年龄上的分布趋势类似,但它们达到骨峰值的年龄及骨丢失上存在着区别:以小梁骨为主要成份的骨密度达骨峰值年龄较早,并先出现骨丢失,骨丢失率较高;年龄、绝经年限、身高、体重在整个年龄段中对骨密度的独立作用不呈线性关系;将人群分成3个年龄段,建立年龄、绝经年限、身高及体重对各部位的预测模型,经检验,这些预测模型所获得的估计值与实际值较为接近。结论预测模型能较好地利用一些易测量的指标来预测个体的骨密度值,为中国农村地区女性人群的骨质疏松症诊断提供了简便的手段。     

Longitudinal changes in radial bone density in older men

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in radial bone density and biochemical status, with particular reference to calcium, over 18 months in a group of older men. SUBJECTS: Thirty-six healthy men (aged 66 76 y) were recruited to the study during July and August, 1993. These men were free-living residents of Edmonton who were recruited through local organizations for the retired and semi-retired. Data for the younger group of men (age 29-60 y) were taken from a previous study conducted in our laboratory. DESIGN: using special-purpose computed tomography (gammaCT), trabecular (TBD), cortical (CBD) and integral (IBD) bone densities (gm/cm3) were measured in the ultra-distal radius at 6-month intervals over 18 months. At baseline, and at each subsequent study visit, serum was obtained from each subject for determinations of calcium, phosphate, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, alkaline phosphatase, and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone. A 24-h urine sample was also obtained at each study visit for determination of urinary calcium, phosphate and creatinine. RESULTS: In repeated measures analysis of variance of the data for the older men serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was significantly decreased (P<0.001) over time, while TBD was increased (+0.60% per year, P<0.01). Longitudinal rates of change for TBD, CBD and IBD were: -0.94%, 0.92% and 0.74% per year respectively when bone density data at baseline for the older men and the historical data for younger men were combined. However, separate analyses of the data for the younger and the older men indicated no significant age-related changes in bone density for men aged 29-60 y, or for men aged 66-76 y. However, differences in TBD, CBD and IBD between the younger and older groups of men were significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a group (n = 36) of older men (mean age 71.7 y) studied longitudinally over 18 months, bone density in the distal radius did not decrease over time. Mean bone density in this group of men was, however, significantly (P < 0.001) lower than in a group of younger men (n = 17, mean age 46.7 y). Regression analysis using cross-sectional bone density data at baseline for the older male group, and historical data for the younger male group, indicates that bone loss occurs with increasing age at a rate of about 1% per year averaged over ages 29-76 y. Bone density variables were not correlated with either height or weight, or with any biochemical or hormonal variable measured in this study.     

绝经后妇女体力活动水平与骨密度的关系

目的检验绝经后妇女体力活动(PA)总量及不同强度PA与骨密度(BMD)和骨盐含量(BMC)的关联。方法从广州市社区招募315名50～70岁停经妇女。通过面对面访问调查其日常PA情况及一般情况和膳食情况等相关协变量。采用双能X-光骨密度仪检测全身、腰椎(L1-L4)及左侧股骨(总股骨、股骨颈、大粗隆、股骨干和Wards区)的BMD和BMC。结果以PA能量代谢当量(MET值)进行三等分位法分组,协方差分析结果显示总体上各部位BMD和BMC随PA总量增加而呈增高的趋势。PA总量低、中、高水平组全身BMD的均值(SE)分别为(1.045±0.008),(1.043±0.008),(1.068±0.008)g/cm2,高PA组显著高于低和中PA组(P=0.049和0.028)。其他部位BMD在三组间无统计学差异意义(P>0.05)。高PA组总股骨、股骨颈、股骨干和Wards区的BMC显著高于低PA组(P=0.004～0.042)。不同强度PA对BMD影响不同,低强度PA越少、中等强度PA越多以及适量的高强度PA均增加BMD。结论较高的PA水平,尤其是增加中等强度和适量的高强度PA更有利于绝经后妇女的骨质健康。     

男性吸烟与骨密度及骨生化指标关系

目的探讨男性吸烟与骨密度及骨生化指标关系。方法用DXA仪测定腰椎及髋部骨密（BMD），用ELISA测定389例20～80岁健康男性血清骨特异性碱性磷酸酶（sBAP）和I型胶原氨基末端肽（sNTX）。结果（1）各部位BMD均在20岁～年龄组最高，30岁之后随年龄增加而缓慢下降；40—60岁各年龄组之间的BMD差异无统计学意义。（2）除腰椎侧位BMD外，吸烟组其它各部位BMD显著低于非吸烟组；吸烟组的BAP显著高于非吸烟组，2组之间的sNTX差异无统计学意义。（3）校正年龄与BMI后，烟龄与腰椎正位，髋部总体，股骨颈及ward＇s区BMD均呈负相关（P〈0．05）。每日吸烟量与腰椎正位及Ward＇s区BMD呈负相关（P〈0．05）。结论男性随年龄增长骨量丢失。男性吸烟者骨生化指标与骨转换水平增高，骨量丢失加速。吸烟等生活方式增高骨转换水平，影响骨转换的增龄性变化并加速骨量的丢失。吸烟是骨质疏松的一个危险因素。预防骨质疏松症（OP）应提倡戒烟。     

#25-S an examination of the association betweeen bone mineral density and mortality in older men

PURPOSE: This study investigated the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and mortality in men using data from the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study, which tracked participants from enrollment in 1971–1974 through 1992.METHODS: This analysis included 1,130 men aged 50–74 when first contacted for NHANES I in 1971–1974 who had baseline BMD measurements as part of their first NHANES visit. Mortality rates were calculated by age-adjusted quartile of BMD.RESULTS: Tests for trend showed that lower baseline BMD was significantly associated with total (p < 0.0001), cardiac (p = 0.0213), and cancer (p = 0.0034) mortality. After adjusting for potential confounders (age, cigarettes/day, BMI, exercise, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, serum cholesterol, and race), Cox proportional hazards analyses revealed that lower BMD was associated with cardiac mortality only in the first three years of follow up, while the association between lower BMD and all-cause or cancer mortality persisted through 14 years of follow-up.CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that low BMD appears to be a marker for cardiac and cancer mortality; delineation of the causal pathway awaits further studies.