MNN - Mother Nature Network

Low-dose calcium and vitamin D supplements won't work to protect bones. This according to a report from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which recently took a closer look at the issue.

 

The report, which was published Feb. 25 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, looked at healthy post-menopausal women who took daily doses up to 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D and up to 1,000 milligrams of calcium. Task force panelists found that the supplement combo won't work to protect bones in older women.

 

Actually this information is not new. The task force released a draft statement of its conclusions on calcium and vitamin D supplementation more than eight months ago. And now, after evaluating the studies and weighing comments from the public and private sector, the task force officially went on record with its recommendation that post-menopausal women should not take calcium and vitamin D supplements. According to the task force, more than half of U.S. women aged 60 currently take these supplements at various doses.

 

The report does not cover whether younger women or men should consider taking the supplements. Nor does it look at whether or not higher doses of calcium and vitamin D would be more helpful for post-menopausal women. Panelists found inconclusive evidence to adequately study these issues.

 

In other words, it still comes down to a case-by-case basis and one that you should definitely talk over with your doctor.

 

Do you currently take calcium and vitamin D supplements? What do you think about the new recommendation?