Alpha-tocopherol intake, cadmium exposure and osteoporosis in older adults
What it found
In people aged 50 and over, higher alpha-tocopherol intake combined with lower cadmium levels was linked to less osteoporosis.
Higher alpha-tocopherol intake was also tied to less bone loss linked to cadmium.
What they found
Studies in people
Cadmium and osteoporosis risk
Out of 8459 people, 543 had osteoporosis. Those with higher cadmium in their blood were more likely to have the condition.
Alpha-tocopherol amounts by group
People with osteoporosis took in an average of 5.28 mg of alpha-tocopherol. Those without it took in 6.50 mg. Blood cadmium was also higher in the osteoporosis group at 0.52 μg/L compared to 0.37 μg/L.
Bone density in the femur
Higher alpha-tocopherol intake appeared to reduce the bone loss in the upper leg bone that is linked to cadmium exposure.
Combined effect on osteoporosis
People who had high alpha-tocopherol intake and low cadmium exposure had a lower chance of osteoporosis. This was compared to those with low alpha-tocopherol intake and high cadmium exposure.
What the authors conclude
- They suggest that higher alpha-tocopherol intake may help reduce bone weakness linked to cadmium exposure.
- They say these findings could offer dietary guidance for preventing osteoporosis in people aged 50 and older.
How it was done
The authors wanted to see how alpha-tocopherol from food relates to cadmium exposure and weak bones in people aged 50 and older.
They looked at data from 8459 adults aged 50 and older taken from a national health survey. They compared blood cadmium levels, reported alpha-tocopherol intake and bone density measurements. This was a snapshot study looking at information collected at one point in time.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- Because this study only looked at people at one point in time, it cannot show that alpha-tocopherol prevents bone loss. It can only show that the two things are linked.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Sichuan University, People's Republic of China; Yan'an Hospital of Kunming City, People's Republic of China; Yunnan Police Officer Academy, People's Republic of China
The paper
- Title
- Association between dietary intake of α-tocopherol and cadmium related osteoporosis in population ≥ 50 years
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Li R, Qu H, Xu J, et al (2023). Association between dietary intake of α-tocopherol and cadmium related osteoporosis in population ≥ 50 years. Journal of bone and mineral metabolism. doi:10.1007/s00774-023-01418-xPubMed 37036532DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error