‘No’ for Low-Dose Vitamin D, Calcium

Healthy older women should not take daily low doses of vitamin D and calcium to prevent fractures, an expert panel says. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued the advice. This is an independent group that provides advice to doctors and the government on preventive care. The group reviewed 19 studies involving women who were past menopause. They were randomly divided into groups. Some women received vitamin D and calcium pills daily. Others received placebo (fake) pills. The doses given varied. The task force found no reduction in fracture risk for women taking up 400 international units of vitamin D and 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily. Past studies also have suggested a higher risk of kidney stones for women taking these pills. Some experts have recommended even higher doses for older women.