new research for post menopausal women
A new study is questioning the validity of the long held believe that post menopausal women should take lots of calcium to keep their bones strong and healthy, 1200 WOAI news reports.
Dr. Michael Hennessy with the San Antonio Orthopaedic group says the latest advice is...don't overdo it.
"The risk of kidney stones and other possible complications outweighs the benefits to things like fracture prevention," Dr. Hennessy said.
The government advisory panel says there is 'insufficient evidence' that calcium and vitamin D, which is also used to build strong bones, is effective in larger doses. Many of the supplements are now delivered in chewable form which make them seem like candy, and easy to overdo.
Some studies like higher levels of vitamin D with lower rates of colorectal cancer, but the research shows that, too, is inconclusive.
Experts for years have been touting vitamin D and calcium supplements as 'must haves' for post-menopausal women to help build strong bones, but Dr. Hennessy says too much can lead to problems.
"Moderation in all things, when you're healthy," Hennessy said "Its when you're unhealthy or when you're treating things like osteoporosis when you frequently supplement with larger daily doses."
Doctors say sunlight, especially in warmer climates like South Texas, triggers the production of vitamin D in the skin, and that usually produces as much as healthy people need.
Nearly half of all women older than fifty will have an osteoporosis-related fracture during their lifetimes.
