There is high quality evidence that vitamin D plus calcium is associated with a statistically significant reduction in incidence of new non-vertebral fractures .
Vitamin D alone is unlikely to prevent fractures in the doses and formulations tested so far in older people .
Supplements of vitamin D and calcium may prevent hip or any type of fracture .
There was a small but significant increase in gastrointestinal symptoms and renal disease associated with vitamin D and calcium .
This review found that there was no increased risk of death from taking calcium and vitamin
BACKGROUND Vitamin D and related compounds have been used to prevent  osteoporotic fractures in older people .
This is the third up date of a Cochrane review first published in 1996 .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of vitamin D or related compounds , with or without calcium , for preventing  fractures in post-menopausal women and older men .
Effect of calcium or 25OH vitamin D3 dietary supplementation on bone loss at the hip in men and women over the age of 60.
Dietary supplements that prevent bone loss at the hip and that can be applied safely in the elderly are likely to reduce hip fractures . A daily dietary supplement of 750 mg calcium or 15 microg 25OH vitamin D3 on bone loss at the hip and other sites , bone turnover and calcium-regulating hormones were studied over 4 yr in elderly volunteers using a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial . Bone mineral density ( BMD ) was measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry and bone structure by radiographs . Calcium biochemistry and bone turnover markers were measured in blood and urine . The 316 women entering the trial had a mean age of 73.7 yr and the 122 men of 75.9 yr . Baseline median calcium intake was 546 mg/day , and median serum 25OH vitamin D3 was 59 nmol/L. On placebo , loss of BMD at total hip was 2 % and femoral medulla expansion was 3 % over 4 yr . Calcium reduced bone loss , secondary hyperparathyroidism , and bone turnover . 25OH vitamin D3 was intermediate between placebo and calcium . Fracture rates and drop-out rates were similar among groups , and there were no serious adverse events with either supplement . A calcium supplement of 750 mg/day prevents loss of BMD , reduces femoral medullary expansion , secondary hyperparathyroidism , and high bone turnover . A supplement of 15 microg/day 25OH vitamin D3 is less effective , and because its effects are seen only at low calcium intakes , suggests that its beneficial effect is to reverse calcium insufficiency
There is high quality evidence that vitamin D plus calcium is associated with a statistically significant reduction in incidence of new non-vertebral fractures .
Vitamin D alone is unlikely to prevent fractures in the doses and formulations tested so far in older people .
Supplements of vitamin D and calcium may prevent hip or any type of fracture .
There was a small but significant increase in gastrointestinal symptoms and renal disease associated with vitamin D and calcium .
This review found that there was no increased risk of death from taking calcium and vitamin
BACKGROUND Vitamin D and related compounds have been used to prevent  osteoporotic fractures in older people .
This is the third up date of a Cochrane review first published in 1996 .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of vitamin D or related compounds , with or without calcium , for preventing  fractures in post-menopausal women and older men .