Calcium and vitamin D don't stop fractures

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A study shows that calcium and vitamin D do not appear to reduce the risk of hip fractures among women living in the community.
Calcium and vitamin D are supposed to strengthen the bones. In a new study from researchers at the University of York, the effect of supplements was tested in a group of 3,314 women aged 70 or more living in the community.

One sub-group received advice from a practice nurse and calcium and vitamin D tablets to take every day. A control group received a leaflet on preventing falls. All the women were monitored and the rate of fractures was somewhat lower than expected. But there was no significant difference between the two groups. The findings suggest that, perhaps contrary to expectation, supplements of calcium and vitamin D do not actually reduce the risk of fractures.

Source
British Medical Journal 30th April 2005 Volume 330 pages 1003-1006

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