Calcium supplementation and bone loss in middle-aged women

This 4-y study investigated the effects of a calcium carbonate supplement on bone loss in 169 women aged 35-65 y, randomly assigned to placebo and treatment (1500 mg Ca/d) groups in a double-blind design. Bone mineral content (BMC) and width (W) were measured bilaterally on the radius, ulna, and humerus. BMC and BMC/W loss rates were consistently lower in treatment than in control subjects. Loss was significantly reduced in the left and right humerus and the right radius. In premenopausal subjects, only left humerus BMC loss was significantly reduced by Ca supplementation. In postmenopausal treatment subjects, BMC and BMC/W bone loss was reduced in all 12 (bilateral radius, ulna, and humerus) of the bone variables measured, 5 at p less than 0.01 and 2 at p less than 0.05. Ca supplementation counteracted a large portion of the additional bone loss attributable to menopause in this population.