Effects of combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation on osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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#bone-density #bone-density-conservation-agents #calcium #calcium-dietary #dairy-products

Effects of combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation on osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Liu et al., 2020 | Food Funct | Meta Analysis

Citation

Liu Chunxiao, Kuang Xiaotong, ... Li Duo. Effects of combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation on osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Food Funct. 2020-Dec-01;11(12):10817-10827. doi:10.1039/d0fo00787k

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to explore whether combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation is beneficial for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Cochrane library, Web of science and Embase databases and reference lists of eligible articles up to Feb, 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of combined calcium and vitamin D on osteoporosis in postmenopausal women were included in the present study. RESULTS: Combined calcium and vitamin D significantly increased total bone mineral density (BMD) (standard mean differences (SMD) = 0.537; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.227 to 0.847), lumbar spine BMD (SMD = 0.233; 95% CI: 0.073 to 0.392; P < 0.001), arms BMD (SMD = 0.464; 95% CI: 0.186 to 0.741) and femoral neck BMD (SMD = 0.187; 95% CI: 0.010 to 0.364). It also significantly reduced the incidence of hip fracture (RR = 0.864; 95% CI: 0.763 to 0.979). Subgroup analysis showed that combined calcium and vitamin D significantly increased femoral neck BMD only when the dose of the vitamin D intake was no more than 400 IU d-1 (SMD = 0.335; 95% CI: 0.113 to 0.558), but not for a dose more than 400 IU d-1 (SMD = -0.098; 95% CI: -0.109 to 0.305), and calcium had no effect on the femoral neck BMD. Subgroup analysis also showed only dairy products fortified with calcium and vitamin D had a significant influence on total BMD (SMD = 0.784; 95% CI: 0.322 to 1.247) and lumbar spine BMD (SMD = 0.320; 95% CI: 0.146 to 0.494), but not for combined calcium and vitamin D supplement. CONCLUSION: Dairy products fortified with calcium and vitamin D have a favorable effect on bone mineral density. Combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation could prevent osteoporosis hip fracture in postmenopausal women.

Key Findings

Combined calcium and vitamin D significantly increased total bone mineral density (BMD) (standard mean differences (SMD) = 0.537; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.227 to 0.847), lumbar spine BMD (SMD = 0.233; 95% CI: 0.073 to 0.392; P < 0.001), arms BMD (SMD = 0.464; 95% CI: 0.186 to 0.741) and femoral neck BMD (SMD = 0.187; 95% CI: 0.010 to 0.364). It also significantly reduced the incidence of hip fracture (RR = 0.864; 95% CI: 0.763 to 0.979). Subgroup analysis showed that combined calcium and

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population postmenopausal women
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Bone Density
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Calcium
  • Calcium, Dietary
  • Dairy Products
  • Databases, Factual
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae
  • Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal
  • Postmenopause
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Vitamin D

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-d-bone

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09