Review finds calcium and vitamin D show little benefit for older adults

The short version

• A systematic review of 69 clinical trials involving nearly 154,000 adults concluded that calcium and vitamin D supplements offer little to no meaningful protection against fractures or falls.[ScienceDaily]
• The analysis evaluated both standalone and combined supplementation, finding high certainty evidence that vitamin D alone or paired with calcium yields minimal preventive effect.[ScienceDaily]
• Researchers indicated that routine preventive supplement use should be reconsidered in favor of balance and resistance exercise.[ScienceDaily]

Key facts

• Canadian researchers reviewed 69 randomized controlled trials examining outcomes across 153,902 adults.[ScienceDaily]
• Moderate certainty evidence from 11 trials involving 9,067 people indicated calcium supplements provide little to no meaningful prevention against fractures or falls.[ScienceDaily]
• High certainty evidence from 36 trials covering 92,045 adults showed vitamin D alone provides little to no meaningful benefit.[ScienceDaily]
• Combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation showed little to no effect based on high certainty evidence from 15 trials with 51,126 participants.[ScienceDaily]
• Researchers highlighted balance and resistance exercise as alternative approaches to routine supplementation.[ScienceDaily]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Millions take calcium and vitamin D for bone health. A major review finds little benefitScienceDaily - Health