'Calcium, vitamin D supplements not harmful for older people'

After a study by researchers in China claimed that supplements containing calcium vitamin D or both may not protect older adults against bone fractures doctors in India have said that these supplements are not harmful for people at risk of osteoporosis a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle There is no harm in giving calcium and vitamin D supplements to women after menopause who may be at increased risk of osteoporosis Pradeep Sharma Head of Orthopaedics at BLK Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi told IANS in a telephonic conversationThe study by researchers in China and published in the journal JAMA involved data from more than 50000 adults who were over 50 years of age They were participants in 33 randomised clinical trials comparing supplement use calcium vitamin D or both with placebo or no treatment and new fracturesJiaGuo Zhao of Tianjin Hospital in China and coauthors did a metaanalysis of the studies A metaanalysis combines the results of multiple studies identified in a systematic review and quantitatively summarises the overall association between the same exposure supplements containing calcium vitamin D or both and outcomes fracture across all studiesThe researchers found that supplements were not associated with less risk for new fractures regardless of the dose the sex of the patient their fracture history calcium intake in their diet or baseline vitamin D blood concentrations These findings do not support the routine use of these supplements containing calcium vitamin D or both in communitydwelling older adults the study saidResponding to the findings Sharma said that while doctors should guard against rampantly prescribing these supplements to anyone those older adults with weaker bones can be given these supplements He said that there are tests to find out the extent of weakness in the bones and supplements can be prescribed at the right dose after proper assessmentUsually an orthopaedic recommends a combination of calcium and vitamin D supplement to the older adults because both the combinations are two major nutrients to the bone health Unfortunately seniors are much vulnerable to calcium and vitamin D deficiency as compared to younger people because of the changes that occur with advancing age said Avtar Singh an orthopaedic surgeon at Amandeep Hospital in Amritsar PunjabVitamin D and calcium are necessary for better bone health and we often prescribe these in the form of supplements However it is always more beneficial to take these in the diet forms said Aashish Chaudhry an orthopedic surgeon at Aakash Healthcare in New Delhi Vitamin D helps body to use calcium This in turn helps bolster bone health Chaudhry saidPeople who have achieved their peak bone mass can also follow few exercises and a healthy diet routine to lower the risk of brittle bones and fracture according to the expertsWhile sunlight is considered the best source for vitamin D some vegetables can also help boost the level of this vitamin The recommended daily intake of vitamin D for most adults is 600 IU international units or 800 IU after age 70 It is hard to expect from older people to do enough regular exercise and get adequate sunshine or even adjust their diet accordingly Hence it is advisable to take these supplements Chaudhry saidCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news current affairs from Mumbai local news crime news and breaking headlines hereDownload the new midday Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go