Calcium Not Effective for Prevention of Fractures?

Are calcium supplements not as good as we thought? Recent information from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study says that taking calcium supplements may not be as helpful as we expected for preventing most fractures. Although the study didn't show any real improvement for the risk of fractures over all, the women who consistently took the calcium and vitamin D did show a 29% decrease in the risk of hip fractures. The results of the WHI study are similiar to studies previously done in the UK which showed that supplementation with calcium and vitamin D alone are not enough to prevent fractures in the elderly.

There are concerns about the accuracy of studies like this. Some experts feel that the women chosen for the WHI study weren't at an elevated risk for fractures so any extra supplementation wouldn't make much difference. Another problem was compliance. Compliance in the UK studies dropped considerably during the study and by the end of the recent WHI study, only 59% of the particpants were taking enough of the calcium.

Do these studies mean that women are wasting their money on calcium supplements? I don't think so. It is important to eat a healthy diet that includes enough calcium as well as other nutrients, however I still think it is a good idea to take some supplemental calcium.

Poll: What do you think about calcium supplements? Do you take calcium supplements?

• No, my diet gives me enough calcium
• No, but I think I really should take calcium
• Yes, but I may not take them any more due to these studies
• Yes, I take calcium and will continue in spite of these studies
• View Poll Results

Related Articles:

• Getting Enough Calcium In Your Diet
• Calcium Supplements - What Should You Look For?
• Calcium Requirements for Kids

Tell me what you think about calcium supplements in the Nutrition Forum.