The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point
  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

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    Calcium, vitamin D, and physical activity in the elderly

     The Women’s Health Initiative reported reduced bone loss with treatment.

    But do healthier bones mean older women will become more active?

    First, the details.

    • 33,067 older women were randomly assigned to take 1,000 mg calcium carbonate plus 400 IU vitamin D3 per day or matching placebo pills.
    • Changes in physical functioning was based on responses to a questionnaire 1 year before starting the study and at the end (about 7 years later).
    • The participants and researchers were not aware of the treatment given — double blind.

    And, the results.

    • There was no association between taking calcium/vitamin D and subsequent physical functioning or performance compared to taking placebo.

    The bottom line?
    So, taking calcium and vitamin D might protect bones, but it doesn’t guarantee that older women will become more active.

    What’s that old saying about leading a horse to water?

    10/11/08 11:35 JR

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