Effectiveness and safety of routine calcium supplementation in postmenopausal women. A narrative review.
Study Goal
To determine whether routine calcium supplementation is beneficial for postmenopausal women and assess its association with cardiovascular risks.
Results Summary
Calcium supplementation has a small protective effect against bone loss, but this effect disappears after cessation. Its antifracture benefits are limited to older frail women or those with vitamin D deficiency and inadequate dietary calcium intake, while its cardiovascular risk association remains inconclusive.
Population
Postmenopausal women, particularly older frail women or community-dwelling residents with vitamin D deficiency and low dietary calcium intake.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
calcium supplementation | decrease | bone loss | postmenopausal women | small | exerts a small protective effect | #1 |
calcium supplementation | no change | protective effect against bone loss | postmenopausal women | - | disappears after cessation | #2 |
calcium supplementation | decrease | bone fracture | older frail women or community-dwelling residents who are vitamin D deficient and have inadequate dietary calcium intake | - | Antifracture effect is limited | #3 |
calcium supplementation | increase | cardiovascular complications | postmenopausal women | - | associated with an increased risk | #4 |
calcium supplementation | no change | cardiovascular complications | - | - | results of studies are contradictory and do not lead to a decisive conclusion | #5 |
calcium supplementation | no change | prevention of bone loss or bone fracture | all postmenopausal women | - | do not support routine | #6 |
BACKGROUND: To determine whether routine administration of calcium supplementation is useful in postmenopausal women, while it is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. METHODS: A literature search was performed using Medline/PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar by using relevant keywords. RESULTS: Calcium supplement exerts a small protective effect against bone loss which disappears after cessation. Antifracture effect of supplemental calcium is limited to older frail women or community-dwelling residents who are vitamin D deficient and have inadequate dietary calcium intake. The results of studies on the association between calcium supplementation and cardiovascular complications are contradictory and do not lead to a decisive conclusion CONCLUSION: Current data do not support routine calcium supplementation to all postmenopausal women for prevention of bone loss or bone fracture.