Thinking straight about calcium

Article Abstract:

The bulk of evidence from studies on calcium and vitamin D intake indicates postmenopausal women should take 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium and 400 to 800 International Units of vitamin D daily. Since 1988 there have been 26 studies published that found a link between calcium intake and bone density or bone loss and 16 studies that did not. A recent study of postmenopausal women, however, found that supplementation with 1,000 mg of calcium significantly reduced bone loss, confirming a previous study among women of the same age. As in other studies that found a link between calcium intake and bone mass, calcium intake was controlled and women who had only recently gone through menopause were excluded. Results from two large European studies on vitamin D and calcium also indicate that calcium affects bone loss and density. Altogether the findings on the benefits of calcium, if not conclusive, are persuasive, and even modest improvements in bone mass could significantly lower the personal risks and economic losses associated with bone loss.

Health aspects, Editorial, Calcium in the body, Calcium (Nutrient), Calcium, Calcium (Chemical element)

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Bone mineral density in women with depression

Article Abstract:

Women with past or present episodes of major depression may have lower bone density than their non-depressed counterparts. Researchers used X-ray scans to measure bone density in the spine, hip, and thigh of 24 mostly premenopausal depressed women compared to bone density in 24 women who were not depressed. Depressed women had lower average bone density than normal women, especially in the thigh bone. Cortisol excreted in urine was also higher in depressed women than in normal women, while growth hormone concentrations did not differ. Endocrine abnormalities or the level of physical activity may contribute to brittle bones.

Psychological aspects, Physiological aspects, Depression, Mental, Depression (Mood disorder), Bone resorption

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Screening for osteoporosis

Article Abstract:

Bone-mineral-density measurements should be obtained in all women over the age of 65 years and in men and younger women who have a fragility fracture. The decision to measure bone-mineral-density in postmenopausal women under the age of 65 should be made on the basis of the presence of risk factors that increase the likelihood of detecting osteoporosis or osteopenia.

New England States, Diagnosis, Women's health, Osteoporosis, New England

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