A controlled trial of the effect of calcium supplementation on bone density in postmenopausal women

Article Abstract:

The loss of mineral density from bone is a serious problem for menopausal women, and can result in an increased susceptibility to fractures. While dietary supplementation with calcium might appear to be the logical solution, tests of calcium supplements are conflicting in their results, and it is not clear to what degree such supplements might prevent the loss of bone density. Since dietary supplements may be more effective for individuals with lower calcium intake in their everyday diet, a test of calcium supplements was conducted in which women with a low intake, i.e. less than 400 milligrams per day, were compared with women with a moderate dietary intake of from 400 to 650 milligrams per day. In addition, women who underwent menopause six or more years prior were compared with women for whom menopause was more recent, and calcium carbonate, a supplement often found in tablets and pills, was compared with calcium citrate malate, a supplement used in some fortified orange juices. The results indicate that among the women who had undergone menopause five or fewer years previously, the rapid bone loss was unaffected by dietary supplementation. Among the women who had undergone menopause six or more years earlier and who had low dietary intake, the calcium citrate malate supplement was effective in reducing or preventing bone density loss. The calcium carbonate supplement prevented bone loss in the head of the femur and in the radius bone, but not in the spine. Among the women with moderate dietary intake of calcium and menopause six or more years prior, bone density was maintained in the femur and radius, but not in the spine. The results indicate that calcium supplementation is effective for older postmenopausal women who have a low dietary calcium intake of less than 400 milligrams per day. At a dose of 500 milligrams of elemental calcium per day, the citrate maleate form was found to be superior to the carbonate for bone maintenance. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Complications and side effects, Menopause, Osteoporosis, Dietary supplements

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Effect of vitamin D intake on seasonal variations in parathyroid hormone secretion in postmenopausal women

Article Abstract:

Vitamin D is necessary for the formation of bones and teeth and for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the digestive tract. Sunlight converts a chemical in the body to a form of the vitamin. However, when people have limited exposure to sunlight, it is important that there be sufficient vitamin D in their diets. A small amount of vitamin D is naturally present in foods and many foods are enriched with the vitamin. Increases in the blood serum parathyroid hormone levels indicate depletion of vitamin D, which may have an adverse effect on the skeleton. Parathyroid hormone maintains a constant concentration of calcium in the body, regulating absorption from the digestive tract and from bone. Elderly people have different vitamin D requirements than younger people. The level of intake of vitamin D needed to prevent an increase in parathyroid hormone during the time of year when sunlight is limited was studied in 333 healthy elderly women in Massachusetts. If the average daily intake of vitamin D was less than or equal to 220 international units (IUs), seasonal variations of parathyroid hormone levels resulted. The parathyroid level was generally lowest between August and October and highest between March and May. If greater than 220 IU of vitamin D were taken a day, the parathyroid level did not vary with the seasons. Therefore it is recommended that postmenopausal women living in areas where the amount of sunlight is similar to that in Massachusetts should have an intake of greater than 220 IUs of vitamin D to maintain a constant level of the parathyroid hormone, to avoid possible problems with their bones and skeletons.

Research, Parathyroid hormone, Parathyroid hormones, Calcium in the body

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Effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone density in men and women 65 years of age or older

Article Abstract:

Elderly people who take calcium and vitamin D supplements may reduce their risk of fractures by increasing their bone density. A total of 176 men and 213 women 65 years old or older took either calcium and vitamin D or a placebo for three years. Those taking calcium and vitamin D increased their bone density at the hip and spine significantly compared to those taking a placebo, who experienced a decline in bone density at the hip. Of the 37 people who fractured a bone at some time during the study, 26 were in the placebo group and 11 were in the vitamin D and calcium group.

Aged, Elderly, Bones, Bone density, Vitamin D in human nutrition, Nutritional aspects, Fractures (Injuries), Fractures

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