Calcium was more effective than placebo in reducing rates of bone loss after two or more years of treatment .
REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS Calcium supplementation alone has a small positive effect on bone density .
The data show a trend toward reduction in vertebral fractures , but it is unclear if calcium reduces the incidence of non vertebral fractures
BACKGROUND Although calcium is one the simplest and least expensive strategies for preventing osteoporotic fractures calcium supplementation is nevertheless not without controversy ( Kanis 1989 ; Nordin 1990 ) .
The Food and Drug Administration in the US has permitted a bone health cl aim for calcium-rich foods , and the NIH in its Consensus Development Process approved a statement that high calcium intake reduces the risk of osteoporosis .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of calcium on bone density and fractures in postmenopausal women .
Calcium supplementation and bone loss in middle-aged women.
This 4-y study investigated the effects of a calcium carbonate supplement on  bone loss in 169 women aged 35 - 65 y , r and omly assigned to placebo and treatment ( 1500 mg Ca/d ) groups in a double-blind design . Bone mineral content ( BMC ) and width ( W ) were measured bilaterally on the radius , ulna , and humerus . BMC and BMC /W loss rates were consistently lower in treatment than in control subjects . Loss was significantly reduced in the left and right humerus and the right radius . In premenopausal subjects , only left humerus BMC loss was significantly reduced by Ca supplementation . In postmenopausal treatment subjects , BMC and BMC /W bone loss was reduced in all 12 ( bilateral radius , ulna , and humerus ) of the bone variables measured , 5 at p less than 0.01 and 2 at p less than 0.05 . Ca supplementation counteracted a large portion of the additional bone loss attributable to menopause in this population
Calcium was more effective than placebo in reducing rates of bone loss after two or more years of treatment .
REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS Calcium supplementation alone has a small positive effect on bone density .
The data show a trend toward reduction in vertebral fractures , but it is unclear if calcium reduces the incidence of non vertebral fractures
BACKGROUND Although calcium is one the simplest and least expensive strategies for preventing osteoporotic fractures calcium supplementation is nevertheless not without controversy ( Kanis 1989 ; Nordin 1990 ) .
The Food and Drug Administration in the US has permitted a bone health cl aim for calcium-rich foods , and the NIH in its Consensus Development Process approved a statement that high calcium intake reduces the risk of osteoporosis .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of calcium on bone density and fractures in postmenopausal women .