Family Med Medical News about calcium supplementation;bone loss;postmenopausal women

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The effect of calcium supplementation on bone loss in 32 controlled trials in postmenopausal women
Osteoporosis International, 06/04/09

Nordin BEC – Study demonstrates that calcium supplementation of about 1,000 mg daily has a significant preventive effect on bone loss in postmenopausal women for at least 4 years.

Methods

A review of literature to estimate the effect of calcium supplementation in postmenopausal women
32 trials of calcium supplementation in 3,169 postmenopausal women were reviewed
24 publications reporting 32 controlled trials lasting at least 1 year were found
They provided annual percentage changes in bone mass or density at one or more sites in the calcium-treated and control subjects

Results

Median calcium supplement: 1,000 mg; median duration of trials: 2 yrs; total number of sites measured: 79
Average of the mean rates of change in bone mass or density:
- -1.07% p.a. in the controls and
- -0.27% p.a. (ns) in the treated subjects
Effect of calcium was much the same at all measured sites (forearm/hand, proximal femur, spine, and total body and others)
Supplements of <700 mg were not effective, but there was no significant beneficial effect of higher doses
A faster bone loss at total calcium intakes below 1,150 mg than on intakes over 1,350 mg was noted
Effect of calcium appeared to be lost after 4 yrs of treatment

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