A major new study has concluded that calcium and vitamin D supplements do not prevent falls or fractures in older people. Published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the review analyzed 69 clinical trials involving 153,902 participants, examining the risk of any fracture, hip fracture, spine fractures, and falls.
No Significant Benefit Found
The researchers from Quebec, Canada, found that taking calcium, vitamin D, or both together had "little to no effect" on the risk of fractures or falls. Specifically, the supplements did not reduce the incidence of hip fractures, non-spine fractures, or the number of falls.
Almost a third of people aged 65 and over experience at least one fall each year, and the fear of falling can reduce daily functioning and increase the risk of subsequent falls. Half of women and one-fifth of men will sustain a low-trauma fracture during their lifetime, often due to a fall. However, the study found no evidence that supplements help mitigate these risks.
Limitations and Recommendations
The team acknowledged that some trials were small and may not apply to people with specific bone disorders or those receiving drug treatment for osteoporosis. Nevertheless, they concluded that their findings "do not support routine supplementation with calcium or vitamin D, or combined supplementation to prevent fractures and falls." They urged doctors, guideline panels, and regulatory agencies to re-evaluate general recommendations in light of this evidence.
Alternative Prevention Strategies
Instead of supplements, the researchers recommended weight-bearing exercise and individualized fall prevention advice. Vitamin D is still important for regulating calcium and phosphate, which keep bones, teeth, and muscles healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.
Current NHS advice recommends a daily vitamin D supplement during autumn and winter due to limited sunlight in Britain. From late March to September, most people can get sufficient vitamin D from sunlight. For calcium, adults aged 19 to 64 and over need 700mg per day, which the NHS advises obtaining from diet rather than supplements.
