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Calcium in the prevention of Osteoporosis

One of the main roles of Calcium is the formation of bone structures to maintain its density, preventing breakages caused by Osteoporosis. In Singapore, the proportion of people over the age of 65 who will suffer from Osteoporosis is estimated to increase 3-fold to 19% by 2030. Hip fractures caused by Osteoporosis have gone up by 5 times in local women over the age of 50 and is more prevalent than Breast Cancer.

Latest research on the benefits of Calcium

Increasingly, research is revealing that Calcium is not as beneficial as it was once thought in the prevention of Osteoporosis and related fractures. As doctors and scientists pour over data obtained from the follow up of large cohorts of patients who had been taking Calcium over a long period, the benefits were not as clear as expected, leading to more extensive studies being conducted in the role of Calcium in Osteoporosis.

In 2005, two studies conducted in the United Kingdom showed that Calcium did not prevent fractures even when it is taken in combination with Vitamin D. A large- scale American trial, The Women’s Health Initiative, showed that postmenopausal women taking Calcium-Vitamin D supplements were at the same risk of breaking their hips than women taking the placebo.

Recently, researchers from Harvard found no connection between higher calcium intake and lower hip fractures, after analyzing data from several studies of Calcium. In fact, certain trials showed that calcium actually increased the risk of hip fractures.

A certain level of Calcium intake in necessary to maintain bone functions, however, higher amounts may not be additionally beneficial. Most people get plenty of calcium by eating dairy products and other supplements.

To keep calcium absorption optimal, vitamin D is required although this is not a big problem in South East Asia which gets plenty of sunlight.

Current guidelines recommends that people over the age of 50 should be getting 1200mg of calcium everyday with sources from food and supplements. Paradoxical evidence points to the benefits of higher calcium intake for the protection of colon cancer but also the overconsumption of calcium, especially from dairy foods, being linked to ovarian and prostate cancer. It is therefore, necessary to assess all your risks and talk to your doctor before deciding on any treatment regimes.

References:

1. Prevalence data- Osteoporosis Society of Singapore. http://www.osteoporosissoc.org.sg/patient.htm

2. Calcium intake and hip fracture risk in men and women: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials. Bischoff-Ferrari HA et al, Am J Clin Nutr.2007 Dec;86(6):1780-90.