Calcium / Vitamin D Supplements Useless??
Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 3:52 pm
This has just come out in the news in the last day or two, and while there's no real way to know how much of it applies to eunuchs (especially those who are not on any form of HRT), it is something that may apply, and is something that people should be aware of:
Calcium, vitamin D may not help avoid fractures (http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/201 ... dence.html)
CBC News Posted: Jun 13, 2012 5:38 PM ET Last Updated: Jun 13, 2012 5:26 PM ET
An influential panel of experts in the United States says that healthy postmenopausal women don't need to take vitamin D and calcium supplements to avoid bone fractures, because the research suggests that doing so won't help.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published a draft recommendation statement on Tuesday, which also said there was little evidence that supplements of vitamin D taken alone or with calcium help prevent premenopausal women and men from breaking bones.
The independent panel is made up of primary care physicians and epidemiologists that are appointed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to review evidence suggesting whether clinical treatments are effective.
Their analysis of vitamin D and calcium supplements was based on a review of more than 100 clinical studies.
Previous research has raised the possibility that the two supplements play a role in fending off certain types of cancer. Some studies have concluded that higher calcium and vitamin D intake is associated with lower breast cancer risk, for example. However, the panel concluded there wasnt enough clinical evidence to support or reject such claims.
For postmenopausal women, the panel looked at vitamin D doses of up to 400 international units per day, and as much as 1,000 milligrams of calcium.
People who take more than those doses of both supplements face a small risk of developing renal stones, they said.
The panels recommendations could spur debate over the role of calcium in a healthy diet, since the mineral has been widely embraced by doctors and the public on the grounds that it helps prevent fractures.
Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that regulates calcium and phosphate levels in the blood and promotes the growth of healthy bones.
Calcium, vitamin D may not help avoid fractures (http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/201 ... dence.html)
CBC News Posted: Jun 13, 2012 5:38 PM ET Last Updated: Jun 13, 2012 5:26 PM ET
An influential panel of experts in the United States says that healthy postmenopausal women don't need to take vitamin D and calcium supplements to avoid bone fractures, because the research suggests that doing so won't help.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published a draft recommendation statement on Tuesday, which also said there was little evidence that supplements of vitamin D taken alone or with calcium help prevent premenopausal women and men from breaking bones.
The independent panel is made up of primary care physicians and epidemiologists that are appointed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to review evidence suggesting whether clinical treatments are effective.
Their analysis of vitamin D and calcium supplements was based on a review of more than 100 clinical studies.
Previous research has raised the possibility that the two supplements play a role in fending off certain types of cancer. Some studies have concluded that higher calcium and vitamin D intake is associated with lower breast cancer risk, for example. However, the panel concluded there wasnt enough clinical evidence to support or reject such claims.
For postmenopausal women, the panel looked at vitamin D doses of up to 400 international units per day, and as much as 1,000 milligrams of calcium.
People who take more than those doses of both supplements face a small risk of developing renal stones, they said.
The panels recommendations could spur debate over the role of calcium in a healthy diet, since the mineral has been widely embraced by doctors and the public on the grounds that it helps prevent fractures.
Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that regulates calcium and phosphate levels in the blood and promotes the growth of healthy bones.