title: Effect of supplementation of calcium and vitamin D on bone mineral density and bone mineral content in peri- and post-menopause women; a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoporosis is a serious global health problem for the future, that is why improving diagnostic methods and prevention of this disease could be helpful.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of calcium supplementations combined with Vitamin D on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in a representative sample of peri- and post-menopausal women in a double-blind, a randomized, controlled trial was untaken.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 120 women aged over 45 were included in a randomised placebo-controlled, double-blind trial on the effect of a daily dietary supplementation of calcium and Vitamin D on bone mineral density and bone mineral content; over a 30-month period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dietary intake assessment; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure total body and segmental bone mineral density and bone mineral content at beginning of the study and every 15 months were undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant change in dietary calcium or Vitamin D intakes in either of the treatment groups during the 30-month intervention period. The change in total BMD in the calcium group was significantly different from that in the placebo group (P <0.005). The placebo group lost a total BMD at a rate of about 0.4% per year. There was an inverse correlation between BMD and age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effect of calcium and Vitamin D supplementation on bone mineral density of calcium has been demonstrated in this group of young adult women. Our results showed the positive effect of calcium and Vitamin D supplementation in women both peri- and post-menopausal status; for this reason a supplementation of calcium and Vitamin D should be recommended as a strategic option in helping to prevent early postmenopausal bone loss.
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition Unit, Via Montpellier 1, University of Rome, "Tor Vergata", 00173 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Di Daniele
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Carbonelli
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Candeloro
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Iacopino
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Lorenzo
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andreoli
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000517:prevention & control; D047648:Perimenopause / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004338:Drug Combinations; D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium