Prostate cancer patients may have an increased risk of suffering from bone mineral content (BMC) loss compared to men who are cancer-free, according to findings published in British Journal of Urology International (BJUI). Individuals who develop lower levels of BMC can also have an increased risk of suffering from bone fractures and osteoporosis.
A total of 519 participants with an average age of 56 were enrolled in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study in which researchers observed BMC over the course of 11 years. During 35 years of follow-ups, 76 of the men developed prostate cancer.
Investigators discovered that patients who had been diagnosed with the disease were among the men with the lowest BMC. Also, the results of the study showed that patients with lower BMC levels were more likely to develop prostate cancer.
Stacy Loeb, researcher from Johns Hopkins University, stated that “there are numerous possible mechanisms to explain the relation between prostate cancer and BMC, [including] that prostate cancer frequently [spreads] to bone.” She added that “our findings suggest that common growth factors might be involved in both bone maintenance and the progression of prostate cancer.”
In addition to improving bone health, a high intake of vitamin D may also help protect cognitive function, as a recent report from The Alzheimers Association stated that consuming vitamin D-rich foods and beverages can lower the risk of developing memory problems.