title: The rate of bone mineral loss in normal men and the effects of calcium and cholecalciferol supplementation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the rate of bone loss in normal men, and to examine the effects of dietary calcium and cholecalciferol supplementation on bone loss in men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Double-blinded, placebo-controlled 3-year trial of supplementation with calcium (1000 mg/d) and cholecalciferol (25 micrograms/d).
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical research center at a university medical facility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Normal men 30 to 87 years old, recruited from the Portland community.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radial bone mineral content (assessed by single-photon absorptiometry) fell by 1.0%/y (95% CI, -1.3% to 0.7%) at a proximal radial site and 1.0%/y (95% CI, -1.4% to -0.6%) at a distal radial site. Vertebral bone mineral content (assessed by dual-energy quantitative computed tomography) declined by 2.3%/y (95% CI, -2.8% to -1.8%). In these healthy men with a high basal dietary calcium intake (1159 mg/d), calcium and cholecalciferol supplementation did not affect bone loss at any site.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Normal men experience a substantial bone loss at both axial and appendicular sites that is not prevented by calcium and vitamin D supplementation in a well-nourished population.
authors: Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oregon.
authors: E S
authors: ES
authors: Orwoll
authors: S K
authors: SK
authors: Oviatt
authors: M R
authors: MR
authors: McClung
authors: L J
authors: LJ
authors: Deftos
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Sexton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D002762:Cholecalciferol; D002119:Calcium Carbonate