Preventing Osteoporosis
A groundbreaking Australian study has found strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of calcium, alone or in combination with Vitamin D, as a way of preventing osteoporosis and related bone fractures in people aged 50 years and older.
This meta-analysis, by far the largest and most exhaustive study ever conducted, examined 29 randomised trials involving 63897 adults between 1996 and 2007 aged 50 years or older who used calcium supplementation. The main outcomes were fractures of all types and percentage change of bone-mineral density from baseline.
The study found that calcium and calcium in combination with Vitamin D was associated with a 12% reduction in fractures of all types including hip, vertebrae and wrist. In instances where there was a higher compliance rate, the treatment was associated with a much higher 24% reduction in fractures.
The author concluded that evidence supports the use of calcium, or calcium in combination with vitamin D supplementation, in the preventive treatment of osteoporosis in people aged 50 years or older. For best therapeutic effect, a doses of 1200 mg of calcium, and 800 IU of vitamin D (for combined calcium plus vitamin D supplementation) is recommended.
Article Source: Lancet. 2007 Aug 25;370(9588):657-66