Vitamin D or Boniva® (ibandronate) Reduces Bone Loss from Binge Drinking

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Source: Loyola University Health System

Released: Tue 26-Dec-2006, 18:10 ET

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/526207/?sc=dwhp

Vitamin D or Boniva® (ibandronate) Reduces Bone Loss from Binge Drinking

Description

It appears that alcohol-induced bone loss resulting from excessive

binge-alcohol drinking can be prevented by vitamin D or the

anti-osteoporosis drug Boniva® (ibandronate), a Loyola University Health

System study shows.

It appears that alcohol-induced bone loss resulting from excessive

binge-alcohol drinking can be prevented by vitamin D or the

anti-osteoporosis drug Boniva® (ibandronate), a Loyola University Health

System study shows.

“Repetitive binge-alcohol drinking reduces bone mass, which is

detrimental to youngsters and young adults, and increases the rate of

bone loss in osteoporotic post-menopausal women,” said principal study

investigator Dr. Frederick Wezeman, professor of orthopaedic surgery and

rehabilitation, and associate dean, Loyola University Chicago Stritch

School of Medicine, Maywood, Ill.

The underlying reason is that bone mass peaks when people are in their

mid-20s and is progressively reduced as they age. “Before that, in the

teen and young adult years, the skeleton is developing and requires

exercise, calcium, vitamin D and good nutrition to achieve optimal

health,” said Wezeman, director, musculoskeletal biology research

laboratory, Loyola University Health System, Maywood, Ill.

“This sets the stage for how healthy your bones will be in subsequent

decades when requirements for calcium and vitamin D intake increase,” he

said. “Postmenopausal women already at risk for osteoporosis are

especially susceptible to alcohol-induced bone damage.

“We do feel it important to share the research findings as they may

provide therapeutic intervention for individuals affected by alcohol

abuse,” said Wezeman.

It also points to the importance of keeping your bones healthy, Wezeman

noted.

Youngsters who spend hours indoors sitting in front of a computer and

surfing the Web are putting their bones at risk. They should be active

out-of-doors, weight-conscious, and properly nourished for calcium and

vitamin D intake.

“Teen and young adult “Web potatoes” face future bone problems even

without drinking,” said Wezeman. “If they go on binge-drinking sprees on

top of that, they can harm their bones even more.”

Bone is a constantly changing tissue. Don’t take your skeleton for

granted, Wezeman cautioned.

“Of course individuals should speak to their physician, but generally

adults need 1,200 – 1,500 milligrams of calcium daily plus they should

get 600 – 800 IUs of vitamin D,” said Wezeman. “For a long time, the

standard thought was 400 IUs of vitamin D was enough; now we know more

is needed.”

Bone health will help reduce older people’s risk of fracture if they fall.

Co-authors of the study, with Wezeman, are Dr. Dainius Juknelis,

research associate, and Dr. J. Callaci, assistant professor,

department of orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation and the Alcohol

Research Program, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute on Alcohol

Abuse and Alcoholism funded the study. Roche provided the ibandronate.

For more information on Loyola University Health System, log onto

http://www.loyolamedicine.org

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