
If you take calcium and vitamin D supplements, you’re not automatically safe from fractures
STATES CHRONICLE – Many people take calcium and vitamin D supplements to ensure the health of their bones. Also, most of them think these substances help them avoid suffering fractures. Unfortunately for them, a recent study revealed these kinds of supplements don’t actually keep fractures away, especially for the elderly, but there are still plenty of reasons to keep taking them.
Calcium and vitamin D don’t act as treatments
Calcium and vitamin D belong to the dietary supplement category. This means they are not really drugs, and the FDA gave them a different status. In other words, taking these substances doesn’t really fight against diseases or conditions. Also, the FDA didn’t give them approval as treatments, meaning that their purpose is a different one.
If you like, you can compare supplements like calcium and vitamin D with vegetables. In fact, some products actually contain the substances. Instead of treating diseases, they are just healthy compounds which help you preserve your health and well-being. However, if you suffer from a condition, they won’t be enough to treat them.
You can take most of these substances from food
You don’t really have to take calcium and vitamin D supplements if you consume enough foods which contain them. However, if you don’t, then your doctor might advise you to take them. Of course, they can definitely help your bones, but it doesn’t mean you are completely safe from fractures. The bones might not be too feeble, but you still have to pay attention to what you do.
This might not be the good news you have been expected, so you should make sure you take care of your bones. First of all, you should eat many dairy products, as they contain a big part of the calcium and vitamin D you need. However, you don’t always take all that is necessary from foods, so you should talk to your doctor and see what supplements you can take.
The study on the supplements which don’t protect you from fractures has been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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