Vitamin A & Osteoporosis

Article Highlights

Studies suggest that 5000 IU vitamin A, the amount found in a typical multivitamin, may increase the risk of osteoporosis in people at risk for osteoporosis.
2000 to 2500 IU vitamin A, an amount readily available in most diets, is the ideal intake to prevent bone fragility.

Recent research suggests a possible association between pre-formed vitamin A intake of just 5000 IU per day and an increased risk of osteoporosis in individuals with risk factors for osteoporosis, including female gender, advanced age, thin stature, inactivity, family history of osteoporosis, cigarette smoking, indaquate dietary calcium intake, or excessive alcohol intake.^9,10 There is no increased risk from beta-carotene. For individuals at risk for osteoporosis, the ideal vitamin A intake, including the combination of diet and supplemental vitamin A, is 2000-2500 IU to prevent bone fragility. Most often, this amount of vitamin A is readily obtainable in the diet. To avoid too much vitamin A, a multivitamin free of vitamin A such as ebA (everything but “A”) Multivitamin Supplement may be considered. Too little vitamin A also increases bone fragility.

⁹Melhus H, et al. Excessive Dietary Intake of Vitamin A Is Associated with Reduced Bone Mineral Density and Increased Risk for Hip Fracture. Ann Intern Med. 1998;129:770-778.

¹⁰Lips P. Hypervitaminosis A and Fractures. N Engl J Med. 2003;348:347-349