Calcium supplements  increased BMD by 0.7 - 1.8 % at all five skeletal sites at one , two , and over two and a half years , but the size of the increase in BMD at later time points was similar to the increase at one year .
Increasing calcium intake from dietary sources or by taking calcium supplements produces small non-progressive increases in BMD , which are unlikely to lead to a clinical ly significant reduction in risk of fracture
OBJECTIVE To determine whether increasing calcium intake from dietary sources affects  bone mineral density ( BMD ) and , if so , whether the effects are similar to those of calcium supplements .
Bone mineral density and bone markers in patients with a recent low-energy fracture: effect of 1 y of treatment with calcium and vitamin D.
BACKGROUND Low-energy fractures of the hip , forearm , shoulder , and spine are known consequences of osteoporosis . OBJECTIVE We evaluated the effect of 1 y of treatment with calcium and vitamin D on bone mineral density ( BMD ) and bone markers in patients with a recent low-energy fracture . DESIGN In a double-blinded design , patients with fracture of the hip ( lower-extremity fracture , or LEF ) or upper extremity ( UEF ) were r and omly assigned to receive 3000 mg calcium carbonate + 1400 IU cholecalciferol or placebo ( 200 IU cholecalciferol ) . BMD of the hip ( HBMD ) and lumbar spine ( LBMD ) were evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry , and physical performance was assessed by the timed Up & Go test . Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol , parathyroid hormone ( PTH ) , telepeptide of type I collagen ( ICTP ) , osteocalcin , and N-terminal propeptide of collagen type I were measured . RESULTS A total of 122 patients were included ( 84 % women ; x + /- SD age : 70 + /- 11 y ) ; 68 % completed the study . In an intention-to-treat analysis , LBMD increased in the intervention group and decreased in the placebo group , and the difference between the groups was significant after 12 mo : 0.931 + /- 0.211 compared with 0.848 + /- 0.194 ( P<0.05 ) . No significant change was shown for HBMD . The effect of treatment was more pronounced in patients aged < 70 y. The intervention decreased bone turnover . PTH was significantly lower in the intervention group ( P<0.01 ) for the LEF patients . ICTP and change in LBMD were significantly related to physical performance . CONCLUSIONS A 1-y intervention with calcium and vitamin D reduced bone turnover , significantly increased BMD in patients younger than 70 y , and decreased bone loss  in older patients . The effect of treatment was related to physical performance
Calcium supplements  increased BMD by 0.7 - 1.8 % at all five skeletal sites at one , two , and over two and a half years , but the size of the increase in BMD at later time points was similar to the increase at one year .
Increasing calcium intake from dietary sources or by taking calcium supplements produces small non-progressive increases in BMD , which are unlikely to lead to a clinical ly significant reduction in risk of fracture
OBJECTIVE To determine whether increasing calcium intake from dietary sources affects  bone mineral density ( BMD ) and , if so , whether the effects are similar to those of calcium supplements .