Commonly-prescribed supplements ‘have no effect’ in preventing fractures in elderly people, review finds

Calcium and vitamin D supplements are ineffective at preventing falls and fractures in older people, a review has concluded.

Commonly-prescribed supplements ‘have no effect’ in preventing fractures in elderly people, review finds. Calcium and vitamin D supplements are ineffective at preventing falls and fractures in older people, a review has concluded. Despite their common prescription on the NHS for those at risk of osteoporosis or fracture, and widespread public use for bone health, the comprehensive study found no evidence to support their regular intake specifically for this preventative measure. Published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the research, led by academics in Quebec, Canada, meticulously analysed 69 clinical trials encompassing 153,902 individuals. Their investigation delved into the risk of any fracture, hip fractures, bone breaks occurring outside the spine, spinal fractures, and the overall frequency of falls. The results showed that t...