Elevated homocysteine is associated with a decline in physical function in elderly persons. Homocysteine-lowering therapy may slow down this decline. In the B-proof study we aimed to examine the effect of a 2-year intervention of vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation on -among other issues- physical performance, handgrip strength, and risk of falling in elderly subjects in a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. The results on these outcomes were just published in the journal Calcified Tissue International. Participants aged ≥65 years with elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations were randomly assigned to daily supplementation of vitamin B12, folic acid, and vitamin D3, or to placebo with vitamin D3. Physical performance and handgrip strength were measured at baseline and after 2 years. Falls were reported prospectively on a research calendar. No differences in physical performance level and handgrip strength or time to first fall were found between the B12 and folic acid supplemented group and the placebo group. Despite the overall null-effect, the results provided indications for a positive effect of the intervention on gait, as well as on physical performance among compliant persons >80 years. These effects should be further tested in future studies. In earlier analyses of the B-proof data of the effects of the supplementation on fracture incidence, also no main effects were found.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Additional Findings from the B-PROOF Study; no effects of Vit B12 and Folic Acid on Physical Performance, Strength, and Falling
Elevated homocysteine is associated with a decline in physical function in elderly persons. Homocysteine-lowering therapy may slow down this decline. In the B-proof study we aimed to examine the effect of a 2-year intervention of vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation on -among other issues- physical performance, handgrip strength, and risk of falling in elderly subjects in a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. The results on these outcomes were just published in the journal Calcified Tissue International. Participants aged ≥65 years with elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations were randomly assigned to daily supplementation of vitamin B12, folic acid, and vitamin D3, or to placebo with vitamin D3. Physical performance and handgrip strength were measured at baseline and after 2 years. Falls were reported prospectively on a research calendar. No differences in physical performance level and handgrip strength or time to first fall were found between the B12 and folic acid supplemented group and the placebo group. Despite the overall null-effect, the results provided indications for a positive effect of the intervention on gait, as well as on physical performance among compliant persons >80 years. These effects should be further tested in future studies. In earlier analyses of the B-proof data of the effects of the supplementation on fracture incidence, also no main effects were found.
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