Two regimens , each represented by one large trial , which showed limited evidence of efficacy in reducing the incidence of hip or other appendicular skeleton fractures were : 1 ) Oral Vitamin D when accompanied by calcium supplementation .
2 ) 1,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D ( calcitriol ) .
This appeared more effective than calcium in a direct comparison .
Hypercalcaemia and gastro-intestinal symptoms , reported in less than 5 % of participants , were slightly more common when Vitamin D analogues were taken .
However , the risk of death was marginally less .
REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS Uncertainty remains about the efficacy of regimens which include Vitamin D or its analogues in fracture prevention .
Particularly if co-supplementation of calcium is required , significant cost differences are likely to exist between regimens .
BACKGROUND Due to their known effects on bone metabolism , Vitamin D and related compounds have been proposed for the prevention of osteoporosis and fractures .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of supplementation with Vitamin D or a Vitamin D analogue in the prevention of fractures of the axial and appendicular skeleton in elderly men or women with involutional or post-menopausal osteoporosis .
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 and muscle strength in the elderly: a randomized controlled trial.
An unexplained loss of muscle strength occurs with aging . Vitamin D deficiency can cause myopathy and administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [ 1,25-(OH2)D3 ] to persons with low serum concentrations can improve strength . To test the hypothesis that the weakness associated with aging is in part due to inadequate serum concentrations of [ 1,25-(OH2)D3 ] , we conducted a r and omized , controlled , double blinded trial in 98 men and women volunteers over 69 yr old . Treatment consisted of 0.25 micrograms 1,25-(OH)2D3 , orally , twice per day or identical placebo for 6 months .  Leg muscle strength of the quadriceps was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer . There was no difference between the two groups at 1 week , 1 month , or 6 months of treatment in any of the measures of muscle strength . We conclude that oral administration of 0.5 micrograms 1,25-(OH)2D3/day does not improve muscle strength in older persons . Further research is needed to determine the etiology of the decline in muscle strength associated with aging
Two regimens , each represented by one large trial , which showed limited evidence of efficacy in reducing the incidence of hip or other appendicular skeleton fractures were : 1 ) Oral Vitamin D when accompanied by calcium supplementation .
2 ) 1,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D ( calcitriol ) .
This appeared more effective than calcium in a direct comparison .
Hypercalcaemia and gastro-intestinal symptoms , reported in less than 5 % of participants , were slightly more common when Vitamin D analogues were taken .
However , the risk of death was marginally less .
REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS Uncertainty remains about the efficacy of regimens which include Vitamin D or its analogues in fracture prevention .
Particularly if co-supplementation of calcium is required , significant cost differences are likely to exist between regimens .
BACKGROUND Due to their known effects on bone metabolism , Vitamin D and related compounds have been proposed for the prevention of osteoporosis and fractures .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of supplementation with Vitamin D or a Vitamin D analogue in the prevention of fractures of the axial and appendicular skeleton in elderly men or women with involutional or post-menopausal osteoporosis .