Typically, as people age, their bone mass decreases, making them more vulnerable to bone fractures. A recent study concludes that the most effective way to reduce the risk of fractures in later life is to take twice the recommended dose of vitamin D and calcium daily. The three-year study followed a group of French women in their eighties who were nursing-home residents. The women were given daily supplements of twice the recommended dose of vitamin D and calcium. In addition, the women participated in a light weightlifting program. After three years, these women showed a much lower rate of hip fractures than is average for their age.
The passage claims that the best way to prevent bone loss and to reduce the risk of fractures in later life is to take larger than recommended doses of Vitamin D and calcium. The writer cites a study that occurred with French women in their 80’s. However, the conclusion of the writer is erroneous because there are alternative explanations for the decrease in fractures by the French subjects.
The first fault in the conclusion is that the study also included in a light weightlifting program. It could well be that the weightlifting program is the true cause for the decrease in fractures, not the increased dosage of vitamin D and calcium. For example, weightlifting is known to stress the bones, which can halt the decrease of bone density. If bones are more dense, the likelihood of fracture is obviously lowered. This is a much more convincing explanation for the results of the French study, rather than the explanation that taking more vitamins decrease the possibility of fractures.
In addition, weightlifting has an added advantage, a preventative one. Weightlifting will increase the strength and tone of the muscles of the subjects in the study. If the subjects are stronger, they are less likely to slip and fall due to fatigue. This prevents the or decreases the possibility of a fall in the first place. So one reason that the subjects had fewer incidences of fracture could be because the falls or other accidents that would lead to an injury never happened.
To show that increased doses of vitamin D and calcium are effective measures to reduce the incidences of fractures in senior citizens, a new study would need to conducted that separated the variables of vitamin and calcium consumption from exercise. This new study should investigate the incidences of fractures in nursing home residents who take vitamins without exercising with the incidences of fractures in nursing home residents who exercise without taking vitamin D and calcium.
Another problem with the statement is the finding that the subjects in the experiment had much lower rates of fractures than are average for women their age. “Much” needs to be defined. Also instead of looking at the average for their age, these women should be compared to a population that is more controlled, for example, other French nursing home residents.
In addition, before making a recommendation that nursing home residents should take larger than recommended doses of vitamin D and calcium, the effect of the larger doses should also be studied. Are there side effects that are unrelated to bone density? For example, could the larger than recommended doses lead to stomach problems or joint problems such as increased arthritis symptoms?
In conclusion, the statement that nursing home residents should take larger doses of vitamin D and calcium is unfounded. The alternative explanation that weightlifting was the main reason for the decrease in fractures is just as sound an explanation, if not an even more sound reason. In addition, no evidence that of the safety of taking larger than recommended doses is provided. For these reasons, the prescription that nursing home residents should take larger than recommended doses of vitamin D and calcium should be rejected.