There is a negative association between serum α-tocopherol (vitamin E) concentration and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) in the US elderly population, a recent study found, suggesting a harmful effect of α-tocopherol on bone health. Researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2006 and conducted a cross-sectional study that included 989 subjects who were not having liver diseases, kidney diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, or cancers; were not treated for osteoporosis; and were not taking steroids or female hormones. They found:

• Significant differences in serum α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol levels, dietary intake of vitamin E as α-tocopherol, and BMDs of total spine and femoral neck were presented between male and female participants.
• Serum α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol concentrations were found to be inversely correlated.
• In univariable linear models, significant negative associations between serum α-tocopherol and both total spine BMD and femoral neck BMD were found.