A comprehensive analysis published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) has brought into question the widely accepted notion that calcium and vitamin D supplements are effective in preventing falls and bone fractures. This extensive review examined data from 69 trials involving over 153,000 participants, the majority of whom were not deemed at high risk for fractures. The findings reveal little to no significant benefits from supplementation, challenging the foundation of many health recommendations.
Key Findings from the Study
The BMJ study, which spans research conducted from 2014 to February 2025, indicates that when evaluating the absolute risk reductions and clinically meaningful thresholds, supplementation with calcium and vitamin D does not offer substantial advantages in fracture and fall prevention. The researchers emphasised that apart from the well-established benefits of exercise and drug treatments for osteoporosis, there are few interventions with robust evidence that consistently lower fracture risk.
Olivier Massé, a pharmacist affiliated with CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’île-de-Montréal and a co-author of the study, remarked that these results are consistent with an emerging trend in research over the past decade. “Our findings
