Study fails to support vitamin D and calcium for fracture protection

Daily supplements of vitamin D and calcium may not reduce the risk of fracture in postmenopausal women, says a new study.

In the randomized controlled trial, the incidence of fractures was measured in 3,432 women (age 65–71 years) taking daily 800 IU vitamin D (cholecalciferol) and 1,000 mg calcium or placebo for three years (1). According to the findings, the risk of all fractures, fractures to the forearm, and fracture to any upper extremity reductions were reduced by 17, 30, and 25 percent, respectively. However, none of these were statistically significant.

The researchers concluded that this study did not produce statistically significant evidence that vitamin D and calcium supplementation prevents fractures in a 65- to 71-year-old general population of postmenopausal women.

1. Salovaara K. et al. Effect of vitamin D3 and calcium on fracture risk in 65- to 71-year old women – a population-based 3-year randomized controlled trial: OSTPRE-FPS study. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2010.