Alpha-tocopherol intake, cadmium exposure and osteoporosis in older adults
What it found
In 8459 people aged 50 and over, higher alpha-tocopherol intake was linked to a lower risk of osteoporosis tied to cadmium exposure.
The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot prove cause and effect.
What they found
Studies in people
Osteoporosis cases
Out of 8459 people, 543 older adults had osteoporosis.
Cadmium and osteoporosis
People with osteoporosis had higher serum cadmium levels (0.52 μg/L) than those without (0.37 μg/L). High cadmium exposure was linked to a higher risk of osteoporosis.
Alpha-tocopherol intake
People with osteoporosis had lower alpha-tocopherol intake (5.28 mg) than those without (6.50 mg).
Bone mineral density
In the total femur, alpha-tocopherol intake was linked to less loss of bone mineral density associated with cadmium exposure.
Combined intake and exposure
High alpha-tocopherol intake combined with low cadmium exposure was linked to a lower risk of osteoporosis compared with low intake and high exposure.
What the authors conclude
“High α-tocopherol intake may improve the Cd-related osteoporosis and loss of BMD that could provide some dietary reference for prevention of osteoporosis in population ≥ 50 years old.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that high alpha-tocopherol intake may improve cadmium-related osteoporosis and loss of bone mineral density.
- They say this could provide some dietary reference for prevention of osteoporosis in people aged 50 and over.
How it was done
The authors wanted to look at how alpha-tocopherol intake and cadmium exposure relate to osteoporosis in people aged 50 and over.
They used data from 8459 people aged 50 and over in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). They looked at diet, physical exams, and lab tests including serum cadmium and dietary alpha-tocopherol, and compared these with osteoporosis and bone mineral density at the total femur and femur neck.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This was a cross-sectional study, so it can show links but cannot prove that alpha-tocopherol or cadmium directly cause or prevent osteoporosis.
- It cannot show whether changing alpha-tocopherol intake over time would change osteoporosis risk.
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 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error