BMJ Review Finds Calcium, Vitamin D Fail to Prevent Falls or Fractures in 153,902 Adults
Updated
Updated · ScienceDaily · Sep 21
BMJ Review Finds Calcium, Vitamin D Fail to Prevent Falls or Fractures in 153,902 Adults
3 articles · Updated · ScienceDaily · Sep 21
Summary
Sixty-nine randomized trials covering 153,902 adults found calcium, vitamin D, or both had little to no meaningful effect on preventing fractures or falls in most older people.
High- to moderate-certainty evidence showed no clinically meaningful benefit for any fracture risk, with the same pattern extending to hip fractures and falls.
The authors said the evidence does not support routine supplementation for prevention and urged clinicians, guideline panels, and regulators to re-evaluate broad recommendations.
The findings may not apply to people with certain bone disorders or those taking osteoporosis drugs, though results stayed broadly consistent across age, sex, prior fractures, prior falls, and dietary calcium intake.
An accompanying editorial pointed instead to balance training, resistance exercise, and multi-component fall-prevention programs as more promising ways to reduce injuries in older adults.