Primary Format :
Fitness

Also Listed as:

User Tags:

User Votes:

RSS Feed
Website

Visit Trumix.com for the most recent listings of:

ArthritisCentral News and Views #42 -- 04/27/06

ArthritisCentral News and Views #42 -- 04/27/06

Play Now -->

DATE : Thu, 27 Apr 2006 07:56:04 -0500
Entered in Database : 2006-04-27 12:56:04
length : 3536896
Link to the Show / Show Notes

The Role of Calcium and Vitamin D in Postmenopausal Women

• A report from the Women's Health Initiative has evaluated whether supplemental calcium and vitamin D provide any significant benefit in osteoporosis treatment.
  
• The study investigated whether the supplements provided any significant protection against future bone fractures.
  
• The study has a number of design flaws, which are pointed out. These include the fact that the control group was allowed to take calcium and vitamin D on their own along with hormonal therapy, bisphosphonates, and miacalcin.
  
• Scientists question whether the vitamin D dose of 400 I.U.s per day used in this study is really sufficient for women.
  
• Compliance in taking the calcium carbonate and vitamin D prescribed in this study was associated with a decreased rate of hip fracture, but unfortunately in those patients who failed to comply the benefits were not seen.
  
• The study re-emphasizes the need to be evaluated with bone mineral density measurements (DEXA scan) to see if you are truly osteoporotic. Taking calcium and vitamin D does not substitute for a proper evaluation by your physician for the presence of osteoporosis.
  
• Calcium and vitamin D are considered important background medications, but osteoporosis needs to be treated with more specific and stronger therapies including bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva), Forteo, Miacalcin nasal spray, or Evista.
  

Play in your Iphone