Negative effects of alcohol consumption and tobacco use on bone formation markers in young Korean adult males

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking on bone mineral density and bone metabolism in young Korean adult males. A total of 463 healthy adult males 20 to 26 years of age participated in the study. The subjects were evaluated for anthropometric characteristics, amount of alcohol consumption, smoking status, and nutrient intake using a 3-day 24-hour recall method. Bone mineral density of the calcaneus was measured using quantitative ultrasound. Bone formation biomarkers including blood total alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and N-mid osteocalcin concentration were determined. The subjects were divided into 3 groups: alcohol-only drinking group (n = 254), combined alcohol drinking and smoking group (n = 125), and nondrinking/nonsmoking control group (n = 84). There were no significant differences in height, weight, body mass index, energy and calcium intake, and bone mineral density of the calcaneus among the 3 groups. However, blood total ALP was significantly lower in the combined drinking and smoking group than in the control group (P < .05). Duration of alcohol consumption was noted to have a negative correlation relationship with ALP levels (P < .001) and N-mid osteocalcin (P < .001). Daily cigarette use and smoking duration showed a significantly negative correlation with ALP (P < .001). Our findings show that smoking and alcohol consumption may have negative effects on bone metabolism by reducing bone formation during the period of young adulthood in men.