Effective & Trusted Medications Guide

Two studies were recently undertaken by UK professionals in order to ascertain whether calcium and vitamin D supplementation is effective enough as a preventive measure against fractures in old people. The Lancet and The British Medical Journal gladly accepted to publish the results.

Both cases involved the participation of thousands of study subjects – elderly people over the age of 70 in the high bone fracture risk group.
• Each treatment group was fed calcium + vitamin D and given instructive advice on ‘how to avoid falling?’
• Each control group was solely given recommendations on reducing fall risks.
All groups showed a lesser overall occurrence of fractures among all participants than initially expected… However, the actual results of comparing the incidence rate of fractures in both the treatment and the control groups - were also contradicting all predictions, for they showed almost no difference at all.

Does this imply that calcium and vitamin D are not at all effective bone-hardeners? Not at all!

Now, let’s dig deeper and try to figure out ‘Why do study results tell us different?’
First of all, we should introduce the so-called “compliance correction” into our problem-solving. .. i.e., take into account that only 63% of the participants were fully complying with the rules… and the percentage number dropped even more significantly by the end of the 2-year study. This means supplements were not taken as recommended and prescribed by almost the half of the participants!!

As for the anti-falling instructions – they contributed quite a bit into lowering the overall number of fractures. These 2 confounding factors make the full correctness of the final verdict somewhat questionable.
But let’s concentrate on the essence… despite all the flaws, the two studies claim that calcium and vitamin D alone may not be self-sufficient in treating “brittle bones” and suggest that complementing these 2 supplements with prescription medications may have better efficacy.

Now, don’t get it wrong… This is not suggesting that calcium and vitamin D are not required for the treatment or prevention of osteoporosis… Moreover, this can’t happen ever – all osteoporosis nutritional treatments of all times always included these 2 components – calcium and vitamin D. Quite convincing, isn’t it? Besides, all related randomized trials that were ever published state unanimously that these supplements may actually decrease bone fragility but only if used on an everyday basis and in a complex with other bone-friendly and bone-reinforcing things and doings.

Vitamin B12, K and magnesium represent a few other important nutrients successfully used as osteoporosis fighters/preventers.

Also, a few cardinal lifestyle changes are required in elderly people wishing to have healthy bones despite their tender age:

• Quit smoking – an increased risk of bone fractures is among millions other reasons not to smoke! So if you are a smoker – be strong and quit! If you don’t smoke – be smart and don’t even start!
• Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake – alcohol- and caffeine- comprising beverages should be eliminated from your nutrition list once and for all! If you can’t eliminate – limit the consumption to the lowest possible levels. Otherwise, they may contribute their mite to the calcium loss from bones.
• Switch over to a 100% healthy diet – eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and fish - perfect body-nutrients and even calcium loss preventers.
• Work-out regularly - e.g., weight lifting is one perfect resistive, bone-densening exercise. It will keep your bones strong and unbreakable!
• Take calcium!!! – you will need at least 1,200 milligrams of calcium every day! There are a bunch of easy-to-do ways to get calcium inside you – with dairy products (which is the most absorbable form of dietary calcium) anchovies, salmon (bones included) and even grinded eggshell!! … Among other foods rich in calcium… However, if you don’t get enough calcium from you breakfasts, lunches and dinners – make sure to take a calcium supplement!
• Get enough vitamin D – calcium will not be properly absorbed without enough vitamin D! Where and how to get it?? The answer is – the Sun! Exposing yourself to this lovely luminary will automatically make your body produce vitamin D. You don’t need to go sunbathing on the beach – spending a few minutes outside every day is likely to be enough. If not… you can always take 800 IU vitamin D as a supplement.

You will most probably agree that most of the mentioned above tips are important overall good health keepers… and not only forerunners of healthy bones.