Numerous studies support calcium’s benefits for bone health. The U.S. daily recommended calcium intake is 1,200 mg. Research indicates that increasing protein intake can improve bone mass density (BMD) in older adults when combined with adequate calcium and vitamin D.
A 2002 study by Friesland Coberco Dairy Foods involved healthy late postmenopausal women with sufficient calcium intake. Supplementing with chicken eggshell powder for 12 months increased hip bone mineral density. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 85 healthy Caucasian women, at least five years post-menopausal. They were divided into three groups: eggshell powder (Group A), purified CaCO3 (Group B), or placebo (Group C). After 12 months, only Group A showed a significant 1.75% increase in femoral neck BMD, alongside reduced bone resorption and formation markers. No significant changes occurred at other sites or in Groups B and C. Another study in the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Research confirmed eggshell powder’s positive effects on bone and cartilage, recommending it for osteoporosis prevention and treatment. The National Osteoporosis Foundation defines osteoporosis as a disease causing fragile, breakable bones, affecting 28 million Americans. Fractures commonly occur in the hip, spine, and wrist. A five-year Australian double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved 1,460 women over 70. They received either 600 mg calcium carbonate twice daily or a placebo. While intention-to-treat analysis showed no significant fracture risk reduction, adherent participants (80%+ tablet intake) had lower fracture incidence with calcium. Calcium also improved heel ultrasonography, femoral neck DXA data, and bone strength versus placebo.Of the 92,000 adverse events recorded, constipation was the only event increased by the treatment. Researchers found 1,200 mg/d of calcium carbonate ineffective as a public health intervention in preventing clinical fractures in the ambulatory elderly population as a result of poor long-term compliance; but, they did find it effective in patients who were compliant.
There are some products that assist the uptake of calcium and increase its bioavailability in the body, Friesland Foods Domo USA Inc. has supported studies on its Vivinal GOS, which have its ability to increase calcium absorption, likely due to its transgalactooligosaccharides.6 In Wister rats, Vivinal GOS produced a significant hypocholesterolemic effect and enhanced volatile fatty acid production, prevented bone loss and lowered serum total cholesterol concentration.7 In contrast with popular research, data from a study published in the American Journal of Public Health did not support the hypothesis that milk or other food sources of calcium by adult women protects against hip or forearm fractures.8 The study was a 12-year prospective study among 77,761 women, aged 34 through 59 years, who had never used calcium supplements in which researchers found no evidence that higher intakes of milk or calcium from food sources reduce fracture incidence. Women who drank two or more glasses of milk per day had relative risks of 1.45 for hip fracture and 1.05 for forearm fracture when compared with women consuming one glass or fewer per week. Likewise, higher intakes of total dietary calcium or calcium from dairy foods were not associated with decreased risk of hip or forearm fracture. Vitamin D is another popular vitamin for bone health as it enhances intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorous.9 It has recently received a lot of attention for its prevalent deficiency in the U.S. population, which may lead to osteopenia, osteoporosis and osteomalacia, increasing the risk of fracture. Research has shown the need for vitamin D in patients with osteoporosis. A systematic review of double blind, randomized control trials of oral vitamin D supplementation with or without calcium supplementation versus calcium supplementation or a placebo in older persons examining hip or non-vertebral fractures was conducted. 10 A vitamin D dose of 700 to 800 IU/d reduced the relative risk (RR) of hip fracture by 26 percent and any non-vertebral fracture by 23 percent versus calcium or a placebo. No significant benefit was observed in 400 IU/d vitamin D. For a 12-month period, a separate Swiss study investigated 222 consecutive hip fracture patients with a mean age of 86 (77 percent women).11 Mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (25(OH)D) levels were low among hip fracture patients admitted from home (34.6 nmol/l), from assisted living (27.7 nmol/l) and from nursing homes (24 nmol/l). Severe vitamin D deficiency below 30 nmol/l was present in 60 percent, 80 percent were below 50 nmol/l, and less than 4 percent reached desirable levels of at least 75 nmol/l.A study revealed that only 10% of hip fracture patients had vitamin D supplementation upon admission to acute care. Patients supplemented with 800 to 880 IU/day showed significantly higher 25(OH)D levels, averaging 63.5 nmol/l.
Controlling for age and gender, the study concluded that vitamin D supplementation, type of dwelling, and season were independently and significantly associated with 25(OH)D levels. This article is part of a larger feature: Naturally Battling for Better Bone Health. Click here for complete references.
