Calcium supplementation in postmenopausal women to reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures

Abstract

Results of recent clinical trials indicate that calcium supplementation does not significantly reduce fracture risk in postmenopausal women. However, evidence from the same studies suggests that beneficial effects on fracture risk may be seen in women who are adherent to therapy. Postmenopausal women should continue calcium supplementation to reduce osteoporosis risk.

Invited review: Dairy intake and bone health: A viewpoint from the state of the art

“…As concluded by the Committee of the Institute of Medicine (Ross et al, 2011), available scientific evidence supports a key role of calcium and vitamin D in skeletal health, consistent with a cause-and-effect relationship and providing a sound basis for determination of intake requirements. The complexity of the relationship between dairy intake and bone health is wide, as we have shown in this short state of the art.…”

“…The 2011 report on dietary reference intakes for calcium from the Institute of Medicine, recently published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (Ross et al, 2011), determined the population needs for this nutrient in North America. Recommended dietary allowances (RDA), covering requirements of >97.5% of the population for calcium, range from 700 to 1,300 mg/d (see Table 1).…”

“…The dietary requirements for vitamin D at different ages, as defined by the 2011 report of Ross et al (2011) are shown in …”

“…In a very recent review evaluating the effectiveness of calcium supplementation to prevent osteoporosis-related fractures in postmenopausal women Spangler et al (2011) emphasize the results of controlled clinical trials that indicate that calcium supplementation does not significantly decrease fracture risk in postmenopausal women. They conclude, however, from the same studies, that beneficial effects on fracture risk may be seen in women who are adherent to the therapy.…”

The Importance of Urinary Calcium in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporotic Fracture

“…Other metabolic risk factors, such as oxaluria, citraturia and uricosuria, should be measured; however, their prevalence in these patients could be less important even though lithogenic risk factors occur with calciuria. Routinely, the treatment of osteoporosis includes calcium and vitamin D supplements, 15 which may decrease the risk of fracture 16 without increasing urine calcium and the risk of nephrolithiasis. 17,18 However, other studies have claimed that it is impossible to determine whether the administration of calcium and vitamin D may increase urinary calcium and the risk of nephrolithiasis.…”