Calcium, vitamin D supplements provide 'little to no benefit' for aging bones: study

• It’s not uncommon to lose bone density or mass as we get older, which can make older adults more prone to falls and fractures.
• Past research shows that falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death globally.
• There are ways to help us preserve better bone health as we age, including eating a healthy, vitamin D and calcium-rich diet.
• A new study finds that vitamin D, calcium, or a combination of the two, may not offer as much bone protection as once thought.

It’s not uncommon to lose bone density or mass as we get older. As we age, our bones begin to break down, making them more porous and more prone to fractures. Hormonal changes, such as those associated with menopause, can also speed up bone density loss.

For this reason, older adults are more prone to falls and fractures. In the U.S., about 1 in 4 older adults ages 65 or older experiences a fall each year, with about 37% resulting in an injury that requires medical attention.

Past research shows that falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death globally.

Previous studies show there are ways to help us preserve better bone health as we age, including not smoking, limiting alcohol use, participating in weight-bearing exercises and strength training, and eating a healthy diet with adequate protein and rich in vitamin D and calcium.

Now, a new study published in the journal BMJ says that vitamin D, calcium, or a combination of the two, may not offer as much bone protection as once thought, providing little to no meaningful protection against fractures or falls in older adults.