Two new studies revealed that there is a lack of evidence to support claims that taking calcium can improve bone health and prevent fractures.
The BMJ published two new studies on Tuesday which added to mounting cynicism over whether older adults should increase calcium via supplements with the intention of reducing the risk of osteoporosis and preventing bone fractures.
A daily intake of 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium for older adults has long been recommended, Time shared. However, the two papers found out diminutive evidence to support the recommendations.
Latest apprehensions over calcium intake have arisen, proposing that "small reductions in total fractures seem outweighed by the moderate risk of minor side effects," the team of New Zealand researchers wrote. Its side effects can include constipation and more severe complications such as cardiovascular issues.
"Collectively these results suggest that clinicians, advocacy organizations and health policymakers should not recommend increasing calcium intake for fracture prevention either with calcium supplements or through dietary sources," the study authors penned in their report.
Researchers have conducted a review of randomized controlled trials looking at how extra calcium intake in women and men over age 50 affected mineral density in the first study. They have discovered increased in bone mineral density of about 1-2% over up to five years. However, authors pointed out that "these increases are "unlikely to translate into clinically meaningful reductions in fractures." Too, post-menopausal women lose an average of about 1% in bone mineral density within a year.
"Increasing calcium intake from dietary sources or by taking calcium supplements produces small non-progressive increases in BMD, which are unlikely to lead to a clinically significant reduction in risk of fracture," they inscribed.
The researchers have also looked at studies on the link between calcium intake and lower risk of fractures in their other study. They found out a dearth of evidence to back up the correlation.
"Dietary calcium intake is not associated with risk of fracture, and there is no clinical trial evidence that increasing calcium intake from dietary sources prevents fractures," the authors wrote. "Evidence that calcium supplements prevent fractures is weak and inconsistent."
Aside from the two new studies, Professor Karl Michaëlsson form Uppsala University in Sweden, gave emphasis to the lack of evidence to support increasing calcium and vitamin D intake for better bone health, adding the continued highlighting is "puzzling."
"The profitability of the global supplements industry probably plays its part," Prof. Karl argued. "Manufacturers have deep pockets, and there is a tendency for research efforts to follow the money (with accompanying academic prestige), rather than a path defined only by the needs of patients and the public."
