Calcium Supplements are of No Use

In a recent Australian study it has been found that calcium supplements which is considered to be an integral part of diet, may not actually reduce bone fracture risk in children although it could lead to small improvements in bone density, which are of no practical use.

The researchers under Tania Winzenberg, at the Menzies Research Institute in Australia analyzed the findings of 19 different studies involving 2,859 children collectively aged between three and 18.

They included randomised trials of calcium supplementation in healthy children that lasted at least three months and which measured bone outcomes after at least six months of follow up.

They found there was a small effect on total body bone mineral content and upper limb bone mineral density – children taking the supplements only had 1.7% better bone density in their upper limbs than children not taking the supplements.

However, there was no effect at important sites in the body for fracture in later life - namely the hip and lumbar spine. After children stopped taking calcium supplements, the effect persisted at the upper limb, but disappeared for total body bone mineral content.

One of the greatest fear which stands out from this study, especially for women is the disease Osteoporosis, which means "porous bones," causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that even mild stresses like bending over, lifting a light object or coughing can cause a fracture.

In most cases, bones weaken when you have low levels of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals in your bones. Osteoporosis can also accompany endocrine disorders.

Thus, with very low acceptance of calcium into the system, through the supplements, the disease would find a proper stay in the body. A common result of osteoporosis is fractures — most of them in the spine, hip or wrist.

Although it's often thought of as a women's disease, osteoporosis also affects a significant number of men. Even children aren't immune with this.

To other aspects, apart from the impact on bone health, calcium supplements were found to slightly increase the risk of kidney stones and raise the risk of colon cancer.

But calcium itself is the most abundant mineral in the human body, has several important functions. Calcium is needed for muscle contraction, blood vessel contraction and expansion, the secretion of hormones and enzymes, and sending messages through the nervous system.

With the search of substantial alternatives going, scientists are recommending to explore possible alternative nutritional interventions, such as increasing vitamin D concentrations and intake of fruit and vegetables.

Vitamin D is produced naturally when the skin is exposed to sun, and is found in margarine, eggs, chicken liver, salmon, sardines, mackerel, swordfish and fish oils such as halibut and cod liver oils.