Vitamin D, calcium supplements may not lower fracture risk

January 2, 2018 in Nutrition for Older Adults, Nutrition Topics in the News, Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements

Vitamin D, calcium supplements may not lower fracture risk

Older adults who take vitamin D and calcium are no less likely to break their hips or other bones than their peers who don’t use these supplements, a research review suggests. 

Researchers examined data from 33 previous trials with a total of more than 51,000 people aged 50 or older who were living in the community, not in nursing homes or other institutional settings. They found no difference in fracture risk among people who got no treatment, a placebo or dummy pill, or vitamin D and calcium alone or in combination. 

Vitamin D helps the body use calcium to support bone health, and many older adults are advised to take one or both of these supplements. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D for most adults is 600 IU (international units), or 800 IU after age 70. 

“The guidelines should be changed,” the researchers stated. “We think that improving the lifestyle, getting enough exercise and enough sunshine, and adjusting the diet may be more important than taking these supplements.” 

Some people can get enough vitamin D from spending time outside, and older adults can also lower their risk of falls and fractures by doing things like maintaining a healthy weight or doing exercises designed to improve balance and coordination. 

No protective effect for women, men, people with history of bone fracture

For the current study, researchers examined data only from clinical trials that randomly assigned some people to take vitamin D or calcium, alone or in combination, and some individuals to receive a placebo or no treatment at all. 

All of the trials looked at the risk of hip fractures, spinal fractures or other types of broken bones. 

The lack of associations between calcium, vitamin D and fracture risk was seen in both men and women, regardless of supplement dose or any previous history of fractures.

One limitation of the study is that some of the trials in the analysis didn’t include pre-treatment measurements of vitamin D blood levels, which might have influenced how much the supplements impacted fracture risk. Some of the trials also were not high-quality experiments. 

A key message, which is not new but reinforced by this study, is that menopausal women and older men with osteoporosis should not equate calcium and/or vitamin D supplementation with protection from bone fractures.

Osteoporosis, or a loss of bone density, occurs naturally with age and can also be accelerated when women go through menopause. 

Calcium needs should be met from diet first. People who already take supplements shouldn’t stop without speaking to a doctor. 

Source:  JAMA, online December 26, 2017.

All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.