Study on Calcium Intake and Bone Health in Men

Understanding Osteoporosis

A recent study explored whether increasing calcium intake can effectively prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures in men. Osteoporosis is a medical condition defined by low bone mass and deteriorating bone tissue, leading to a higher likelihood of fractures in both men and women. Current guidelines to mitigate bone loss are primarily informed by research focused on women, who face a greater risk of osteoporosis and related fractures. This lack of evidence-based strategies for men raises concerns, especially given the ageing population and longer life expectancies.

Calcium Intake Recommendations

Health professionals frequently recommend increasing calcium intake, whether through diet or supplements, as a strategy to combat bone loss and osteoporosis. One particular study indicated that a daily calcium supplement of 1,200 mg over two years resulted in a 1-1.5% increase in bone mass density (BMD) among men, compared to a placebo group. While this finding suggests a potential benefit of calcium intake, researchers caution that the long-term effects of calcium supplementation on bone density require further investigation.

Recent Research Findings

A recent article published in the British Journal of Nutrition examined the link between calcium intake and bone loss. The researchers analyzed data from a previous study involving 323 men who received calcium supplements and had their bone density monitored over two years. Additionally, they included a placebo-control group of 99 healthy men for comparison.

The results indicated that, similar to findings in women, increased calcium intake did not significantly reduce bone loss in men. At baseline, no correlation was identified between dietary calcium intake and BMD, even after adjusting for various confounding factors. Furthermore, no correlation existed between calcium intake and BMD throughout the two-year study. Interestingly, researchers noted an inverse relationship between dietary calcium intake and parathyroid hormone levels at baseline. This hormone is crucial for bone homeostasis, as it stimulates osteoclast cells responsible for bone degradation. However, there was no link between dietary calcium intake and markers of bone turnover, indicating that elevated parathyroid hormone levels associated with lower calcium intake did not lead to increased rates of bone degradation.

Conclusion and Future Directions

The authors concluded that calcium intake does not correlate with bone loss and is not an effective predictor of fracture risk in men. The positive effects of calcium supplementation observed in earlier clinical trials seem to occur within the first year, with no sustained long-term benefits. Consequently, increasing calcium intake may not be a viable long-term strategy for reducing bone loss or preventing fractures in men. Ongoing research is essential to identify new therapeutic strategies and preventive measures to lower the risk of osteoporosis and fractures in both men and women.

Author Information

Written by Haisam Shah, BSc

Citation

Bristow, S. M., Gamble, G. D., Horne, A. M., & Reid, I. R. (2017). Dietary calcium intake and rate of bone loss in men. British Journal of Nutrition, 1-7.