What does this study tell us, should we still take CaD in an effort to decrease our risk of osteoporosis or at least prevent hip fractures?
Women should continue to have adequate intakes of calcium and vitamin D to maintain bone density and prevent osteoporosis. Current guidelines state that most of the calcium intake should come from the diet, and most of the vitamin D from food and sunlight, but some women need supplements to meet recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D. This study, like others, showed that these supplements improve bone mineral density. Additionally, in at least some subgroups of women (those age 60 years and over and those who adhered to the study tablet regimen), the findings suggest a reduced risk of hip fracture. Further studies are needed to see if higher doses of vitamin D would be of more benefit. The current national recommendations say that women over 50 years should have daily total calcium intakes of 1000-1200 mg/day and vitamin D intakes in the range of 400-600 IU.
