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 .
Spinal bone loss in postmenopausal women supplemented with calcium and trace minerals.
The effects of calcium supplementation ( as calcium citrate malate , 1000 mg elemental Ca/d ) with and without the addition of zinc ( 15.0 mg/d ) , manganese ( 5.0 mg/d ) and copper ( 2.5 mg/d ) on spinal bone loss ( L2-L4 vertebrae ) was evaluated in healthy older postmenopausal women ( n = 59 , mean age 66 y ) in a 2-y , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial . Changes ( mean + /- SEM ) in bone density were -3.53 + /- 1.24 % ( placebo ) , -1.89 + /- 1.40 % ( trace minerals only ) , -1.25 + /- 1.46 % ( calcium only ) and 1.48 + /- 1.40 % ( calcium plus trace minerals ) . Bone loss relative to base-line value was significant ( P = 0.0061 ) in the placebo group but not in the groups receiving trace minerals alone , calcium alone , or calcium plus trace minerals . The only significant group difference occurred between the placebo group and the group receiving calcium plus trace minerals ( P = 0.0099 ) . These data suggest that bone loss in calcium-supplemented , older postmenopausal women can be further arrested by concomitant increases in trace mineral intake
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 .