Extra calcium does not cut fracture risk, research shows
Wednesday, 25 May 2011 Consuming extra dietary calcium does not
reduce a woman’s risk of fractures or osteoporosis later in
life, shows research. The study, published today on bmj.com,
found that consumption much in excess of the UK’s recommendation
of 700mg calcium a day conferred no additional benefit.
Countries vary greatly in how much calcium they recommend the
over-50s should consume to maintain healthy bones, from 700mg in
the UK to 1200mg in the US. Researchers analysed data from a
long-term population study in Sweden, to find out how women’s
levels of dietary calcium were associated with their later risk
of osteoporosis and fractures. They followed 61,433 women for 19
years, closely monitoring their diet, especially for intake of
calcium and dietary and multivitamin supplements. The women’s
height, weight, smoking habits, level of physical activity,
educational attainment, menopausal status and use of post-
menopausal oestrogen therapy were also