Low Back Bone Spurs Linked to Diet, Smoking & Alcohol
A new study titled, “The effect of beta-carotene on lumbar osteophyte formation”, links low blood levels of carotenoids with low back (lumbar) bone spurs (osteophytes).
The Japanese study, published in the December 2011 of Spine, found that 48 of 286 elderly individuals had lumbar ostephytes. Lumbar osteophyte formation was most common in males with a history of alcohol intake and were correlated with the angle of the tailbone (sacrum).
Blood levels of beta-carotene were significantly lower in subjects with the lumbar osteophytes.
Usually occurring on the front of the vertebrae osteophytes may be tiny, tapering to a point or may be large completely bridging across the intervertebral joint space.
The presence of osteophytes is strongly correlated with reduced disc height, degenerative disc disease and disc herniation and in the neck vertebral osteophytes can displace the vertebral arteries, potentially interfering with the brains blood supply.
Food is the best sources of beta-Carotene with carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, and collards having the highest levels of beta-carotene content per serving.
Interestingly, beta-Carotene’s absorption is enhanced if eaten with fats.
To look at the National Institute of Health US National Library of Medicine website abstract of this study, go to the following link:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21673632
Filed under: Sinner Chiropractic
