Calcium supplements may not reduce fracture risk

Calcium supplements may not reduce bone fracture risk in children although it could lead to small improvements in bone density, says a new study.

Previous studies said that children who take calcium supplements could have stronger bones and reduced risk of fractures.

But the new study carried out by researchers at the Menzies Research Institute in Australia says that children taking such supplements have only small improvements in bone density, which is unlikely to reduce fracture risk, reported Newswise wire.

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem, particularly in women, and low bone mineral density is an important risk factor for osteoporotic fractures.

Bone density worsens for women after menopause, so scientists suggest that intervention in childhood to maximise peak bone mass by improving factors such as diet and physical activity could minimise the impact of bone loss related to age.

Children could be given increased vitamin D concentrations and more fruit and vegetables instead of calcium supplements, the study said.

The researchers analysed the findings of 19 different studies involving 2,859 children collectively aged between three and 18. They included randomised trials of calcium supplementation in healthy children that lasted at least three months and which measured bone outcomes after at least six months of follow-up.

They found there was a small effect on total body bone mineral content and upper limb bone mineral density - children taking the supplements only had 1.7 percent better bone density in their upper limbs than children not taking the supplements.

However, there was no effect at important sites in the body for fracture in later life - namely the hip and lumbar spine. After children stopped taking calcium supplements, the effect persisted at the upper limb, but disappeared for total body bone mineral content.

"The small effect of calcium supplementation on bone mineral density in the upper limb is unlikely to reduce the risk of fracture, either in childhood or later life, to a degree of major public health importance.