The number of elderly in recent years has increased worldwide, which ends up causing numerous health concerns of this population, since in this stage of life the physiological changes make them more prone to disease, especially chronic non-communicable diseases. Osteoporosis, an osteometabolic disease common in the elderly, becomes the subject of important studies, since its consequences affect both the physical and psychosocial health. However, there are various factors that predispose to osteoporosis, including the deficiency of vitamin B12, vitamin B9 (folate) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). The lack of these vitamins increases homocysteine levels, which acts interfering with collagen cross-links, resulting in decreased bone strength and hence in osteoporosis and bone fractures in both men and women. In this context, this paper aims to conduct a literature review in the databases PubMed and LILACS, on the relationship of serum vitamin B12, folate, vitamin B6 and homocysteine with decreased bone mass in the elderly.
Homocysteine; Vitamin B12; Folic acid; Vitamin B6; Bone Density; Osteoporosis related to age; Elderly
