Bone benefits of calcium stop when supplementation ends

Calcium supplements do benefit the bones of older men but the benefits stop after the supplementation ends, says a report published in Osteoporosis International.
Experts looked at data from 322 healthy men to see if the positive effects on bone mineral density of calcium supplements still exists when they stop taking the supplements.
The men were split into groups and took different levels of calcium for two years. They were then followed up for another one or two years to see how their bone mineral density was affected by them stopping the supplements.
Those who had been taking 1,200mg of calcium a day had increased bone mineral density of 1–1.5% after two years compared to men not taking calcium.
But when men stopped taking calcium, their bone mineral density reduced to just 0.41% higher than men who hadn’t taken the supplement – and there was no difference when measured at the spine and hip.
“This is unlikely to confer a clinically significant dividend in terms of ongoing fracture prevention,” the research team concludes.
Calcium helps to build strong bones and teeth, regulates muscle contractions and helps the blood to clot normally. Most adults are advised to consume around 700 mg of calcium per day, though this can vary depending on health status.

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