Vitamin Supplements For Bone Loss Articles & Resources

Calcium and vitamin D supplements increase both bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content in perimenopausal women, according to this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial: 120 women over age 45 (range, 45-55), received daily dietary supplements of either placebo or calcium (500mg) plus vitamin D (200 iu). Dietary calcium and vitamin D were assessed at baseline and at 15 and 30 months, along with total body BMD. After the 30-month investigation time, total BMD was significantly changed from baseline in the calcium-vitamin D group versus the placebo group. (p<). Perimenopausal women in the calcium-vitamin D group gained total body BMD from g/cm (squared) at baseline to g/cm (squared). The placebo group lost BMD, from g/cm (squared) to g/cm (squared). Dietary intakes of calcium and vitamin D did not change in either group during the study.

Commentary: Adequate intakes of calcium and vitamin D may help to prevent early bone loss in perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women. This is important clinical information, because this is a key time period for bone loss with rates of bone loss typically at 2% per year for the first 4 years of menopause. If we can slow bone loss during this time period, we can enhance our prevention of osteoporosis. In this study, 30 months of supplementing with calcium and vitamin D resulted in small gains in total body BMD while the placebo group averaged % per year of total body BMD.

There are issues that the study did not address. We do not know what the baseline calcium and vitamin D intakes were in the population studied. We do not know if their intakes of calcium and vitamin D were deficient at the start of the study. We also do not know the results for total bone mineral content. One of the things that was not controlled for was weight or body fat. If this were different in the two groups, this would impact the results. All in all though, it reinforces the recommendation that women need to consume adequate levels of calcium and vitamin D. If it is not achieved in the diet, then supplementation should be initiated.