Calcium doesn't prevent fractures. . . If you don't take it

Article

Dietary supplementation with 1,200 mg/d calcium carbonate didn't prevent fractures in an ambulatory elderly population because compliance was low. Those who took it, however, benefited.

Dietary supplementation with 1,200 mg/d calcium carbonate didn't prevent fractures in an ambulatory elderly population because compliance was low. Those who took it, however, benefited.

The findings come from a 5-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of almost 1,500 women over the age of 70. The authors found that while calcium supplementation did not significantly reduce fracture risk (hazard ratio 0.87; 95% CI; 0.67–1.12), it was because almost half the women (43%) didn't comply with the treatment regimen. In the 56.8% of women who took at least 80% of their tablets (calcium or placebo), the women who were receiving calcium had a hazard ratio for fracture of 10.2% versus 15.4% in the women receiving placebo (0.66; 95% CI; 0.45–0.97). The calcium-treated patients also had better quantitative ultrasonography findings of the heel, better femoral neck and whole-body dual x-ray absorptiometry data, and better bone strength.

The only adverse event that was increased in the treated group versus the placebo group was constipation.

Recent Videos
How sex differences impact treatment efficacy for chronic pain | Image Credit: profiles.ucalgary.ca.
Tuan Trang, PhD, discusses biological differences in chronic pain between men and women | Image Credit: profiles.ucalgary.ca.
1 expert is featured in this series.
How the Flyte device revolutionizes SUI management | Image Credit: linkedin.com.
Dr. Wanda Filer discusses how to overcome barriers to SUI treatment | Image Credit: linkedin.com.
Revi System shows efficacy against urgency urinary incontinence | Image Credit: ics.org.
1 expert is featured in this series.
Researchers highlight risks of breastfeeding while taking Levetiracetam | Image Credit: uwaterloo.ca.
Ipek Ensari, PhD, highlights improved mental health in chronic pelvic pain from physical activity | Image Credit: scholars.mssm.edu
New pSNM system empowers patients in urge urinary incontinence treatment | Image Credit: trinityhealthmichigan.org.
Related Content
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.