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 .
Long-term effect of nandrolone decanoate, 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 or intermittent calcium infusion therapy on bone mineral content, bone remodeling and fracture rate in symptomatic osteoporosis: a double-blind controlled study.
A double-blind controlled study was performed in 60 patients with symptomatic osteoporosis with at least one vertebral crush fracture , comparing the effect of n and rolone decanoate , 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 and intermittent calcium infusions .  Thirty-four out of 60 patients completed the 2 year observation period . N and rolone decanoate statistically significantly increased the bone mineral content at the radius , reduced the endosteal bone loss at the metacarpals and statistically significantly reduced urinary calcium and hydroxyproline excretion . Calcium infusions and 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 inhibited further loss of bone mineral content , but endosteal bone loss continued . In the second year fracture rate was reduced in the n and rolone decanoate groups compared to the two other groups . We conclude that n and rolone decanoate is an active drug for increasing bone mineral content and reducing endosteal bone loss , while 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 and calcium infusions only stop further bone mineral loss at the radius but do not inhibit endosteal bone loss as measured at the metacarpals and that single photon absorptiometry and radiography are complementary in interpreting cortical bone mineral changes
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 .