Calcium supplements unlikely to improve bone density or reduce fracture risk

Increasing calcium intake through diet or supplements is unlikely to improve bone health or reduce the risk of fractures in people aged 50 and over, according to a report published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

Calcium has long been known as a bone-boosting mineral, yet several studies have confirmed that an increased consumption may not have the health effects experts once thought.

Associate Professor, Mark Bolland, lead author of the study at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, said: “Collectively, the results from the two studies suggest that clinicians, advocacy organisations and health policymakers should not recommend increasing calcium intake for fracture prevention, either by use of calcium supplements or dietary sources.

“For most patients who are concerned about their bone health, they do not need to worry about their calcium intake.”

Current guidelines advise men and women aged 50 and over to take at least 1000-1200 mg per day of calcium to improve bone density and prevent fractures.

However, a team of researchers, led by Dr Bolland, conducted two studies to examine how an increased intake of dietary or supplemental calcium impacted bone density and fracture risk among 12,000 people.

Dr. Bolland explained: “In the first study, we found that increasing calcium intake from dietary sources or by taking supplements produces small (one to two percent) increases in bone mineral density, which are unlikely to lead to a clinically meaningful reduction in risk of fracture.

“The second study assessed the link between increased calcium intake from supplements, milk and dairy and other dietary sources and found that dietary calcium intake is not associated with risk of fracture.

“Therefore, there is no clinical trial evidence to suggest that increasing calcium intake from dietary sources prevents fractures.”

Furthermore, co-author Professor Karl Michaëlsson from Uppsala University in Sweden, added that ever increasing intakes of calcium and vitamin D, recommended by some guidelines, defines the population aged 50 and over as ‘at risk’.

He commented: “It is time to revisit recommendations to increase calcium intake beyond a normal balanced diet.

“Most people will not benefit from increasing their calcium intake and will be exposed instead to a higher risk of adverse events such as constipation, cardiovascular events, kidney stones, or admission for acute gastrointestinal symptoms.

“The weight of evidence against such mass medication of older people is now compelling, and it is surely time to reconsider these controversial recommendations.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that direct medical costs from fragility fractures to the UK healthcare economy were estimated at £1.8 billion in 2000, with the potential to increase to £2.2 billion by 2025.