Calcium and Vitamin D - Does it Help?

Many people take calcium and vitamin D supplements, especially after menopause, in hopes of preventing fractures and other diseases. But does it work?

In a recent study looking at several thousand women researchers discovered that 1000mg of calcium plus 400U of vitamin D did result in a very slight reduction in fractures; but also had no adverse effects.

Interestingly, those who took more than 600U of Vitamin D daily had a 30% higher risk of invasive breast cancer!

In general most vitamin supplements are relatively harmless. However, we need to be careful taking high doses without proper evidence. I would not take high doses of any vitamin without proper indication. Even in the case of Vitamin D deficiency I do not give more than 2000U daily.