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Calcium supplements unlikely to prevent fractures
Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:10 AM BST
LONDON (Reuters) - Calcium supplements given to healthy children to improve their bone density are unlikely to prevent broken bones, researchers said on Friday.
In an analysis of 19 studies involving nearly 3,000 children, scientists at the Menzies Research Institute in Tasmania found that youngsters taking the supplements showed a small increase in bone mineral density in the arms but not at the hip or lower spine.
"This small increase in upper limb bone mineral density is unlikely to result in a clinically important decrease in the risk of fracture," said Tania Winzenberg, lead author of the study published in the British Medical Journal.
Although calcium is found in many foods, it is thought that taking supplements can help build stronger bones in children, which could reduce the risk of osteoporosis, or brittle bone disease, later in life.
How much bone is built up during childhood and lost as an adult determines the likelihood of developing osteoporosis. At least 90 percent of peak bone mass is obtained by the age of 18, according to the researchers.
Children in the studies, aged 3-18, were given calcium supplements or a dummy pill for periods ranging from 8.5 months to 7 years.
Winzenberg and her colleagues measured the strength of the children's bones with density tests using overall body measurements at the hip, spine and arm. They found the amount of increase was the same in the hip and spine in both groups of children and only slightly better in the supplement group in the arm.
The results were the same regardless of the child's sex, ethnic background, exercise level or age.
"Our results provide only limited support for the use of calcium supplementation in healthy children..," Winzenberg added.
The scientists called for more research and said other measures, such as eating more fruit and vegetables and increasing vitamin D concentrations, should be explored.
Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:10 AM BST
LONDON (Reuters) - Calcium supplements given to healthy children to improve their bone density are unlikely to prevent broken bones, researchers said on Friday.
In an analysis of 19 studies involving nearly 3,000 children, scientists at the Menzies Research Institute in Tasmania found that youngsters taking the supplements showed a small increase in bone mineral density in the arms but not at the hip or lower spine.
"This small increase in upper limb bone mineral density is unlikely to result in a clinically important decrease in the risk of fracture," said Tania Winzenberg, lead author of the study published in the British Medical Journal.
Although calcium is found in many foods, it is thought that taking supplements can help build stronger bones in children, which could reduce the risk of osteoporosis, or brittle bone disease, later in life.
How much bone is built up during childhood and lost as an adult determines the likelihood of developing osteoporosis. At least 90 percent of peak bone mass is obtained by the age of 18, according to the researchers.
Children in the studies, aged 3-18, were given calcium supplements or a dummy pill for periods ranging from 8.5 months to 7 years.
Winzenberg and her colleagues measured the strength of the children's bones with density tests using overall body measurements at the hip, spine and arm. They found the amount of increase was the same in the hip and spine in both groups of children and only slightly better in the supplement group in the arm.
The results were the same regardless of the child's sex, ethnic background, exercise level or age.
"Our results provide only limited support for the use of calcium supplementation in healthy children..," Winzenberg added.
The scientists called for more research and said other measures, such as eating more fruit and vegetables and increasing vitamin D concentrations, should be explored.
