Tuesday Nov 25, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- Vitamin D deficiency may lower risk of osteoporosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease or IBD, according to a study led by researchers from the University of Manitoba, Canada.

Osteoporosis is a side effect of IBD and vitamin D has been known to play an important role in calcium absorption and bone health.

William D. Leslie and colleagues measured serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) levels and bone mineral density in 101 people who had recently been diagnosed with IBD.

They found that there was a correlation between blood vitamin D levels and bone density; the highest levels were linked to the strongest bones.

After two years, they found those with higher levels of vitamin D were more likely than those who had lower levels to have an increase in bone mineral density.

Source:

Am J Gastroenterol. 2008 Jun;103(6):1451-9.

Vitamin D status and bone density in recently diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease: the Manitoba IBD Cohort Study.

Leslie WD, Miller N, Rogala L, Bernstein CN.

Department of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.