Recently, there has been a lot of medical attention vis-a-vis calcium, and to a lesser extent, Vitamin D. Many patients are confused, hence this post. Make no mistake – calcium and vitamin D are crucial for healthy bone. The current recommendation is for 1000mg of elemental Calcium for women up to age 50 and 1200 mg for women above age 50. I have been telling my patients for years that you are best off getting your calcium from diet. Some evidence suggest that calcium supplements may be a factor slightly raising risk for heart disease and kidney stones. In addition, this is from calcium supplements not dietary sources. If you are consistently below 1000-1200mg per day depending on your age some supplementation would be appropriate.
Some caveats:
Vitamin D is necessary for normal bone metabolism. A recent study showed 48% of women on a medication for osteoporosis had vitamin D levels insufficient for the medication to work properly (< 30pg/ml). Normally vitamin D comes from sunlight. Modern society has damaged the ozone layer, so to protect our skin we use S.P.F. (Sun Protection Factor) which decreases vitamin D delivery from sun light. I recommend 1000-2000 International Units (IUs) of vitamin D3 daily, available as a stand-alone pill wherever you get supplements. Any brand is fine. There may be other health benefits but final convincing research is not at a level to make other claims. You can take too much. If one dose is good, two is not better. Next time you are in ask to have your vitamin D level checked, but realize if it is markedly low (<30) the treatment is a prescription strength of 50,000 IUs once per week for 12 weeks and then to recheck the blood level.
A final word about the NY Times article by Gina Kolata in June “Healthy women advised not to take calcium and vitamin D to prevent fractures”. This was a report of the USPSTF (United States Preventative Services Task Force). What they said was that there was “insufficient evidence” to recommend taking calcium and vitamin D, not that they were recommending not taking it. What is this mainly based on? In the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) almost 37,000 women between 50 – 79 years of age took either 1000mg calcium with 400 IUs vitamin D, or a placebo. The group with vitamin D and calcium had a 12% reduction in hip fracture but it was not statistically significant. But in the women over 60, the group most likely to have a fracture, there was a 21% reduction and this was statistically significant and in the women who actually took their pills (medical term is “compliant”) there was a significant 30% reduction. So judge for yourself. In my mind there is little doubt and little confusion.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Best regards and wishing you good health,
Dr. Goldstein
THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. THE INFORMATION ON THIS SITE (BLOG or ARTICLE) IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR IN OFFICE MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT. THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
Perimenopause Specialist in New York Doctor Steven R. Goldstein MD is considered a top perimenopause specialist in New York and...
→Female Hormone Replacement Therapy in NYC Let the top Hormone Specialist in NYC Improve Your overall health during Menopause and...
→Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Specialist NYC Doctor Steven R. Goldstein MD is a leading abnormal uterine bleeding specialist in New York...
→An expert Gynecologist and Specialist in New York for heavy bleeding and heavy periods (menorrhagia). You do not have to...
→Meet Dr Steven R. Goldstein – Transvaginal Ultrasound and Sonohysterogram Specialist in NYC Dr. Goldstein is one of the most...
→Gynecologist for Fibroids in NYC Top Gynecologist for Diagnosis and treatment of Uterine Fibroids in NYC Dr Steven R. Goldstein...
→Ovarian Cyst Specialist in NYC Doctor Steven R. Goldstein MD is considered one of the nation’s top Gynecologists. He is...
→Ovarian and Cervical Cancer Screenings in NYC Dr. Steven R. Goldstein MD, a board certified physician and one of the...
→Abnormal Pap Smear Gynecologist in New York Doctor Steven R. Goldstein MD is a top New York Gynecologist in private...
→Pregnancy Monitoring, Miscarriage and Recurrent Miscarriage in NYC Doctor Steven R. Goldstein MD is a top Obstetrician and Gynecologist...
→Osteoporosis Screening & Treatment in NYC The Top Osteoporosis Specialist in New York Dr. Steven R. Goldstein MD is considered...
→Second Opinion on Gynecologic Surgery, Fibroid Surgery, Endometrial Biopsy, bleeding, thick uterine lining, hysterectomy Doctor Steven R. Goldstein MD is...
→Dr Steven R. Goldstein MD, top gynecologist in NYC explains Yeast Infections What is a Yeast “infection”? The vagina is...
→