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Nutritional Supplements and Skeletal Health.

Current osteoporosis reports
February 1, 2021
Laila S Tabatabai et al. (2 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to assess the effects of calcium and vitamin D supplements on bone density and fracture risk, focusing on human studies.

Results Summary

Calcium and vitamin D supplements, when combined, reduce fracture risk, especially in populations with low intakes. The safety of these interventions at recommended intakes is supported by extensive analyses.

Population

Populations with low calcium and vitamin D intakes, particularly during aging.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (3)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Calcium and vitamin D supplements, in combination
decrease
fracture risk
populations with low intakes
-
reduce
#1
specific isoflavones
increase
bone density
-
-
may improve
#2
Multiple other nutrient supplements
increase
skeletal health
-
-
may benefit
#3
Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Nutrition influences skeletal health throughout the lifespan, from the impact of maternal intakes during development, through the development of peak bone mass, to the rate of bone loss during aging. However, there are limited data available on the effects of nutritional supplements on bone density, let alone fracture risk. This review will assess the current literature, focusing on human studies, and emphasizing nutrients where bone density or fracture data are available. RECENT FINDINGS: Calcium and vitamin D supplements, in combination, reduce fracture risk, particularly in populations with low intakes. Extensive recent analyses have supported the safety of these interventions at recommended intakes. There is growing evidence that specific isoflavones may improve bone density although fracture data are lacking. Multiple other nutrient supplements may benefit skeletal health, but data are limited. The effect size of nutrient interventions are relatively small, requiring large sample sizes for trials with bone outcomes, may be difficult to blind, and the impact of supplementation may depend on baseline intake. However, nutrition is the only intervention that can be implemented life long and on a population wide basis. Further investigation is needed into the potential benefits of nutritional supplements to determine in which settings supplements may add benefit in addition to dietary intakes.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Bone DensityCalciumDietary SupplementsFractures, BoneHumansOsteoporosisVitamin D
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety85
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations4
Citations/Year1.0
Relative Citation Ratio0.33
NIH Percentile17.3%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.31
Normalized Score0.80
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