Calcium won't save bones

01 October 2015 - 02:40 By © The Daily Telegraph

Taking calcium supplements to boost bone density or prevent fractures as people get older does not work, according to major research. Millions of people take calcium and vitamin D supplements in an attempt to avoid osteoporosis in later life.But two studies published in the British Medical Journal say there is no evidence that increasing calcium intake through supplements prevents fractures, and they should not be recommended.Most people should get enough calcium through a normal diet, they conclude.The UK National Health Service says adults need 700mg of calcium a day, and does not recommend supplements, though older people are advised to boost their Vitamin D. But some doctors recommend higher calcium intakes in order to improve bone density.In the new studies, scientists in New Zealand looked at the effect of diet and supplements on bone health in over-50s.The first study found increasing calcium intake from dietary sources or by taking supplements produced small(1-2%) increases in bone mineral density, which "are unlikely to lead to a clinically meaningful reduction in risk of fracture".The second found there was no evidence from clinical trials that increasing dietary calcium intake prevented such breaks.Professor Karl Michaëlsson, from Uppsala University in Sweden, said: "Most will not benefit from increasing their intakes and will be exposed instead to a higher risk of adverse events such as constipation, cardiovascular events and kidney stones."..

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