Low vitamin K status is associated with low BMD and increased fracture risk. Additionally, a specific menaquinone, menatetrenone (MK4), may reduce fracture risk. However, whether vitamin K plays a role in the skeletal health of North American women remains unclear. Moreover, various K vitamers (e.g., phylloquinone and MK4) may have differing skeletal effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of phylloquinone or MK4 treatment on markers of skeletal turnover and BMD in nonosteoporotic, postmenopausal, North American women. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 381 postmenopausal women received phylloquinone (1 mg daily), MK4 (45 mg daily), or placebo for 12 mo. All participants received daily calcium and vitamin D 3 supplementation. Serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSALP) and n-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (NTX) were measured at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo. Lumbar spine and proximal femur BMD and proximal femur geometry were measured by DXA at baseline and 6 and 12 mo. At baseline, the three treatment groups did not differ in demographics or study endpoints. Compliance with calcium, phylloquinone, and MK4 treatment was 93%, 93%, and 87%, respectively. Phylloquinone and MK4 treatment reduced serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin but did not alter BSALP or NTX. No effect of phylloquinone or MK4 on lumbar spine or proximal femur BMD or proximal femur geometric parameters was observed. This study does not support a role for vitamin K supplementation in osteoporosis prevention among healthy, postmenopausal, North American women receiving calcium and vitamin D supplementation.

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Elevated Plasma Levels of Interleukin‐6 in Postmenopausal Women Do Not Correlate with Bone Density OBJECTIVE: To determine if plasma levels of Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) across the lifespan correlate with bone density or plasma osteocalcin. DESIGN: Cross‐sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Forty‐five healthy community‐dwelling volunteers aged 25–74 years. Exclusion criteria were smoking, use of medications known to affect bone metabolism (corticosteroids, heparin, thyroxine, thiazides, and anticonvulsants), and presence of chronic inflammatory disease. MEASUREMENTS: Bone density was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry at the femoral neck and lumbar spine. Plasma levels of IL‐6 and osteocalcin were determined by ELISA and RIA, respectively. RESULTS: Plasma levels of IL‐6 increased with advancing age (P <.0001) and correlated with postmenopausal status (P < .0001). No correlation was observed between plasma IL‐6 level and bone mineral density at either the lumbar spine or femoral neck, and none was observed with plasma osteocalcin. CONCLUSIONS: The elevation of plasma IL‐6 observed following menopause is consistent with the proposed importance of estrogen in the regulation of IL‐6. These findings do not provide support for a role of IL‐6 in determination of peak bone density or subsequent development of osteoporosis. However, it is possible that plasma levels of IL‐6 differ from those in the bone microenvironment. J Am Geriatr Soc 43: 236–239, 1995.

Greenhouse gases from human activities are causing climate change, creating risks for people around the globe. Behaviors involving transportation, diet, energy use, and purchasing drive greenhouse gas emissions, but are also related to health and well-being, providing opportunity for co-benefits. Replacing shorter automobile trips with walking or cycling, or eating plants rather than animals, for example, may increase personal health, while also reducing environmental impact. Mindfulness-based practices have been shown to enhance a variety of health outcomes, but have not been adapted towards environmental purposes. We designed the Mindful Climate Action (MCA) curriculum to help people improve their health while simultaneously lowering their carbon footprints. Combining mindfulness-based practices with the Stages of Change theory, the MCA program aims to: (1) improve personal health and well-being; (2) decrease energy use; (3) reduce automobile use; (4) increase active transport; (5) shift diet towards plant-based foods; and (6) reduce unnecessary purchasing. Mindfulness practices will foster attentional awareness, openness, and response flexibility, supporting positive behavior change. We plan to test MCA in a randomized controlled trial, with rigorous assessment of targeted outcomes. Our long-term goal is to refine and adapt the MCA program to a variety of audiences, in order to enhance public health and environmental sustainability.

This study assessed bone mineral density (BMD) comparability and precision using Lunar Prodigy and iDXA densitometers (GE Healthcare, Madison, WI) in adults. Additionally, the utility of supine forearm measurement with iDXA was investigated. Lumbar spine and bilateral proximal femur measurements were obtained in routine clinical manner in 345 volunteers, 202 women and 143 men of mean age 52.5 (range: 20.1–91.6) yr. Seated and supine distal forearm scans were obtained in a subset (n = 50). Lumbar spine and proximal femur precision assessments were performed on each instrument following International Society for Clinical Densitometry recommendations in 30 postmenopausal women. BMD at the L1–L4 spine, total proximal femur, and femoral neck was very highly correlated (r2 ≥ 0.98) between densitometers, as was the one-third radius site (r2 5 0.96). Bland-Altman analyses demonstrated no clinically significant bias at all evaluated sites. BMD precision was similar between instruments at the L1–L4 spine, mean total proximal femur, and femoral neck. Finally, one-third radius BMD measurements in the supine vs seated position on the iDXA were highly correlated (r2 = 0.96). In conclusion, there is excellent BMD correlation between iDXA and Prodigy densitometers. Similarly, BMD precision is comparable with these two instruments.

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Using the newer iDXA densitometer for VFA analysis improves vertebral body visualization and fracture detection. Training and experience enhance result reproducibility.

Pro-environmental behaviors and the cultural shifts that can accompany these may offer solutions to the consequences of a changing climate. Mindfulness has been proposed as a strategy to initiate these types of behaviors. In 2017, we pilot-tested Mindful Climate Action (MCA), an eight-week adult education program that delivers energy use, climate change, and sustainability content in combination with training in mindfulness meditation, among 16 individuals living in Madison, WI. We collected participant data at baseline and at different times across the study period regarding household energy use, transportation, diet, and health and happiness. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the various MCA study practices including measurement tools, outcome assessment, curriculum and related educational materials, and especially the mindfulness-based climate action trainings. MCA was well-received by participants as evidenced by high adherence rate, high measures of participant satisfaction, and high participant response rate for surveys. In addition, we successfully demonstrated feasibility of the MCA program, and have estimated participant's individual carbon footprints related to diet, transportation, and household energy.