Abstract
Vitamin deficiency causes classical deficiency diseases. Vitamin insufficiency is milder than deficiency, but it increases the risk of various diseases including the ones commonly found in the elderly. In this article, we put on emphasis on the role of vitamins in the prevention of locomotive syndrome (LMS) including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and sarcopenia.
The association of fat-soluble vitamins with LMS has been mainly studied. Vitamin D insufficiency is a serious risk for osteoporotic fracture through the negative calcium balance. Vitamin K insufficiency is also a risk of fracture. Additionally, vitamin K insufficiency has been reported to be a risk for osteoarthritis. Furthermore, vitamin D has an additional role to maintain the skeletal muscle strength.
Recently, the role of water-soluble vitamins in maintaining the skeletal health is acknowledged. Insufficiency of vitamin B12, folate, or vitamin B6 causes hperhomocysteinemia (HHcy). HHcy has been demonstrated to be a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Additionally, HHcy is known to be a risk for fracture, since HHcy impairs the collagen cross-links in the bone. Recently, HHcy has been reported to impair the muscle strength and activity of daily living.
In summary, vitamins can play important roles in the health promotion of the elderly.
