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 .
The effects of calcium supplementation and exercise on bone density in elderly Chinese women
A r and omized controlled trial was carried out to determine whether calcium supplementation and load-bearing exercise can increase or maintain bone mass in the elderly . Fifty Chinese women , aged 62–92 years , living in a hostel for the elderly in Hong Kong were r and omized to enter one of four treatment groups : ( I ) calcium supplementation of 800 mg ( as calcium lactate gluconate ) daily ; ( II ) load-bearing exercise four times a week plus a daily placebo tablet ; ( III ) calcium supplementation daily and load-bearing exercise four times a week ; ( IV ) a placebo tablet daily . The interventions went on for 10 months . The bone mineral density ( BMD ) was measured at three sites in the hip ( femoral neck , Ward 's triangle and intertrochanteric area ) and the L2–4 level of the spine . The percentage change in BMD in 10 months was used as the main outcome measurement . The parathyroid hormone level and indices of bone metabolism were also measured before and after 10 months of intervention . The BMD at Ward 's triangle and the intertrochanteric area increased significantly in subjects on calcium supplement ( p<0.05 ) , but there was no significant change at the spine and femoral neck . Exercise had no effect on bone loss at any site . However , the results of two-way analysis of variance showed a significant joint effect of calcium supplements and exercise  at the femoral neck ( p<0.05 ) , but not at the other sites . The parathyroid hormone levels fell significantly in subjects on calcium supplements (p<0.01).Calcium supplement in the form of calcium lactate gluconate was adequately absorbed in elderly Chinese women with a calcium intake of less than 300 mg per day . It was effective in reducing bone loss at the hip , and there may be interaction effects with exercise in maintaining bone density
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 .