Biochemical indicators related to antioxidant status and bone metabolic activity in Finnish elderly men

Serum concentrations of vitamins A, D and E, osteocalcin, calcium, selenium, cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were measured in 270 elderly Finnish men aged from 65 to 84 years. alpha-Tocopherol and selenium decreased with aging as did 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Low serum levels were found especially for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (19% less than 8 micrograms/l), selenium (45% less than 70 micrograms/l) and osteocalcin (52% less than 1.8 micrograms/l). Men living in institutions for the aged had lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels than those living at home. Smoking was associated with decreased and alcohol consumption with increased serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Those men who reported having most weekly working hours had highest serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Serum osteocalcin correlated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D at normal or high serum vitamin levels but not at low vitamin levels; neither did it correlate with age or consumption of tobacco, alcohol or multivitamin pills.