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Diseases

Osteoporosis — is it really just a lack of calcium?

Sources: 21 · Article: 28 476 characters

Jerzy Zięba emphasizes that osteoporosis does not mean the loss of calcium alone, because bones contain at least 12 minerals.

  • Jan Jaśkowski points out that magnesium and vitamin K2 are needed for the body to use calcium, while vitamin D3 supports its absorption.
  • Jerzy Zięba warns that calcium supplements have not clearly been shown to prevent fractures, and that higher calcium intake without a balance with vitamin K2 may worsen health.
  • Thomas E. Levy links osteoporosis to oxidative stress and antioxidant deficiency.

What the authors write

Jerzy Zięba

Osteoporosis is not the loss of calcium alone; bones contain many minerals.

„Let’s start by saying that osteoporosis is not simply the loss of calcium. Bones are made up of at least 12 minerals: calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, silicon, iron, zinc, selenium, boron, phosphorus, sulfur, chromium, and... many others in trace amounts, such as”Zacznijmy od tego, że osteoporoza to wcale nie jest utrata tylko wapnia. Kości składają się z co najmniej 12 minerałów: wapń, potas, magnez, mangan, krzem, żelazo, cynk, selen, bor, fosfor, siarka, chrom oraz... wiele innych w ilościach śladowych jak np.
Stop osteoporozie
Jerzy Zięba

Jerzy Zięba lists at least 12 minerals that make up bones, not just calcium.

„Bones are made up of at least 12 minerals: calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, silicon, iron, zinc, selenium, boron, phosphorus, sulfur, chromium, and... many others in trace amounts, such as strontium. So it’s not just calcium. When we talk about osteoporosis or bone density, etc.”Kości składają się z co najmniej 12 minerałów: wapń, potas, magnez, mangan, krzem, żelazo, cynk, selen, bor, fosfor, siarka, chrom oraz... wiele innych w ilościach śladowych jak np. stront. Tak więc, to nie tylko wapń. Kiedy mówimy o osteoporozie czy gęstości kości itd.
Stop osteoporozie
Jan Jaśkowski

Jan Jaśkowski points out that a low level of calcium in the blood can trigger the release of calcium from bones and increase its absorption from the digestive tract.

„When calcium levels are low, a hormone is released by the parathyroid glands that stimulates conversion. This increases the release of calcium from the bones and the absorption of calcium from the digestive tract, raising calcium levels in the bloodstream. What causes calcium deficiencies?”W przypadku niskiego poziomu wapnia wydzielany jest hormon z przytarczyc stymulujący konwersję. To zwiększa uwalnianie wapnia z kości i wchłanianie wapnia z przewodu pokarmowego, podwyższając poziom wapnia w krwiobiegu. Skąd biorą się niedobory wapnia?
Dlaczego masz niski poziom witaminy D3 mimo suplementacji? — Moja Apteczka
Jan Jaśkowski

Jan Jaśkowski emphasizes that magnesium and vitamin K2 are needed for the body to use calcium properly.

„But calcium alone is not enough. Magnesium and vitamin K2 are essential for its proper metabolism. If you lack them, your calcium balance is impaired, and this directly contributes to low vitamin D3 levels. What’s more, magnesium itself is essential for the synthesis and metabolism of vitamin D!”Jednak sam wapń to nie wszystko. Do jego prawidłowego metabolizowania niezbędne są magnez i witamina K2. Jeśli Ci ich brakuje, Twoja gospodarka wapniowa słabnie, a to bezpośrednio wpływa na obniżenie i niski poziom witaminy D3. Co więcej, sam magnez jest niezbędny do syntezy i metabolizowania witaminy D!
Dlaczego masz niski poziom witaminy D3 mimo suplementacji? — Moja Apteczka
Jan Jaśkowski

Jan Jaśkowski points out that magnesium is needed for the synthesis and metabolism of vitamin D.

„What’s more, magnesium itself is essential for the synthesis and metabolism of vitamin D! Unfortunately, deficiencies in calcium and magnesium are very common today. It is estimated that as many as 80% of the population do not get the recommended 1200 mg of calcium and 500 mg of magnesium per day.”Co więcej, sam magnez jest niezbędny do syntezy i metabolizowania witaminy D! Niestety, niedobory tych wapnia i magnezu są dziś bardzo powszechne. Szacuje się, że nawet 80% społeczeństwa nie dostarcza organizmowi zalecanych 1200 mg wapnia i 500 mg magnezu dziennie.
Dlaczego masz niski poziom witaminy D3 mimo suplementacji? — Moja Apteczka
Jerzy Zięba

Jerzy Zięba warns that, according to the studies cited, calcium supplements have not been clearly shown to prevent fractures.

„The Preventive Services Task Force even explicitly recommended that women stop taking calcium supplements if they are taking them to prevent bone fractures, because after analyzing 137 studies, researchers concluded that there was no clear evidence that calcium prevents bone fractures.”Preventive Services Task Force) wyraźnie wręcz zaleciła, żeby kobiety przestały brać preparaty wapnia, jeśli biorą je w celu uniknięcia złamań kości, ponieważ po analizie 137 badań naukowcy doszli do wniosku, że nie ma jednoznacznego dowodu na to, że wapń zapobiega złamaniom kości.
Stop osteoporozie
Jerzy Zięba

Jerzy Zięba claims that taking higher amounts of calcium without balancing them with vitamin K2 may worsen health.

„As we can see, increased amounts of calcium without being “balanced” with vitamin K2 may not only worsen our health, so drinking milk may make no sense if we want to prevent osteoporosis. Why is the rate of osteoporosis much lower in eastern Japan, where little milk is consumed, along with few other calcium-containing foods?”Jak już widzimy, zwiększone ilości wapnia, bez „zrównoważenia" witaminą K2 nie tylko mogą zdrowie nasze pogorszyć, a więc może picie mleka nie ma sensu jeśli chcemy zapobiegać osteoporozie. Dlaczego w Japonii i to tylko wschodniej, gdzie mleka pije się mało, jak również spożywa się mało innych produktów zawierających wapń, zachorowalność na osteoporozę jest znacznie niższa?
Leczenie osteoporozy Jerzy Zięba
Jerzy Zięba

Jerzy Zięba describes the ongoing breakdown and rebuilding of bone, and links a predominance of breakdown to weakened bones and osteoporosis.

„If osteoclast activity predominates, more cells are removed than are built into the bone. If this process is not slowed down or stopped completely, sooner or later the bone structure becomes so weakened that it is highly prone to fractures. That is osteoporosis.”Jeśli nastąpi przewaga działania osteoklastów, wtedy więcej komórek ulega usunięciu niż wbudowaniu. Jeśli ten proces nie zostanie spowolniony lub całkowicie zatrzymany, to wcześniej czy później dochodzi do tak znacznego osłabienia struktury kości, że staje się ona bardzo podatna na złamania, a to już jest: osteoporoza.
Stop osteoporozie
Henryk Różański

Jerzy Zięba claims that magnesium helps prevent osteoporosis and supports bone mineralization, and that a deficiency limits the incorporation of calcium into bones.

„Magnesium helps prevent osteoporosis to a considerable extent and also supports the mineralization of bone with calcium phosphate. Magnesium deficiency increases calcium excretion in urine and reduces calcium absorption into the bones. Corticosteroid treatment and overactivity of the adrenal cortex contribute to a significant loss of magnesium from the body.”Magnez w dużej mierze zapobiega osteoporozie, ponadto wspomaga procesy mineralizacji kości fosforanem wapnia. Niedobór magnezu powoduje wzrost wydalania wapnia z moczem oraz zmniejsza resorpcję wapnia do kości. Leczenie kortykosteroidami, nadczynność kory nadnerczy przyczynia się do znacznej utraty magnezu z ustroju.
Zaburzenia gospodarki magnezowej.
Jerzy Zięba

Jerzy Zięba points out that vitamin K2 may inhibit processes that contribute to osteoporosis.

„When osteoporosis is discussed, we constantly hear: more calcium and more calcium, which, as I mentioned, may be terrible advice for health. Yet it has been shown that processes contributing to osteoporosis may be slowed by supplementing with vitamin K2.”Kiedy mowa jest o osteoporozie, bezustannie słyszymy: więcej wapnia i więcej wapnia, co jak wspomniałem, może być fatalną dla zdrowia poradą, a przecież wykazano, że procesy sprzyjające osteoporozie mogą być wyhamowane poprzez suplementację witaminą K2.
Leczenie osteoporozy Jerzy Zięba
Jan Jaśkowski

Jan Jaśkowski points out that vitamin D3 supports calcium absorption and bone formation.

„Among other things, vitamin D3 is responsible for the proper absorption of calcium from the blood and thus for bone formation. It is widely known that older people are at risk of osteoporosis and more frequent bone fractures. Unfortunately, in older people, as many as 21% of hip fractures result in the patient’s death within a year of the fracture!”Witamina D3 jest między innymi odpowiedzialna za prawidłowe wchłanianie wapnia z krwi, a tym samym za budowę kości. Powszechnie wiadomo, że osoby starsze są narażone na osteoporozę i częstsze złamania kości. Niestety u osób starszych nawet 21% złamań kości udowej kończy się śmiercią pacjenta w ciągu roku od złamania!
Suplementy dla seniora — co powinien suplementować senior? — Moja Apteczka
Jerzy Zięba

Jerzy Zięba cites studies in which higher consumption of milk and calcium-containing foods by adult women did not protect them against certain fractures.

„In their conclusion, the authors wrote that increased consumption of milk or other calcium-containing foods by adult women does NOT protect against fractures of the hip or forearm. Dr. Amy Lanou, director of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (Washington, USA), said plainly: “The countries with the most cases of osteoporosis are the ones where the most milk and calcium in food are consumed.””W konkluzji tych badań autorzy napisali, że zwiększone spożycie przez dorosłe kobiety mleka lub innych produktów zawierających wapń NIE zabezpiecza przed złamaniami kości udowej lub kości przedramienia. Dr. Amy Lanou, dyrektor Komitetu Lekarzy ds. Odpowiedzialnego Zastosowania Medycyny, (Waszyngton, USA) powiedziała wprost: „W krajach, gdzie jest najwięcej przypadków osteoporozy najwięcej spożywa się mleka i wapnia w produktach spożywczych.
Leczenie osteoporozy Jerzy Zięba
Thomas E. Levy

Thomas E. Levy claims that giving calcium does not improve osteoporosis, even though bones affected by the disease contain too little of it.

„While osteoporotic bone is certainly very deficient in calcium, the administration of calcium does not resolve or improve this disease, not even a little. Osteoporosis is a focal scurvy of the bones, and a restoration of an appropriate balance of antioxidants, led by vitamin C, is essential to the reversal of this disease and the subsequent growth of new, healthy bone.”While osteoporotic bone is certainly very deficient in calcium, the administration of calcium does not resolve or improve this disease, not even a little. Osteoporosis is a focal scurvy of the bones, and a restoration of an appropriate balance of antioxidants, lead by vitamin C, is essential to the reversal of this disease and the subsequent growth of new, healthy bone.
Dr. Thomas Levy
Thomas E. Levy

Thomas E. Levy explains osteoporosis as a problem associated with oxidative stress and antioxidant deficiency.

„Where antioxidants are severely deficient, there is always increased oxidative stress. And just as a fire might oxidize and burn the ignited wood, the increased oxidative stress in osteoporotic bones decomposes it and “burns” it over time as well. Chemically, both the wood and the bones become oxidized.”Where antioxidants are severely deficient, there is always increased oxidative stress. And just as a fire might oxidize and burn the ignited wood, the increased oxidative stress in osteoporotic bones decomposes it and "burns" it over time as well. Chemically, both the wood and the bones become oxidized.
Dr. Thomas Levy
Thomas E. Levy

Thomas E. Levy claims that osteoporosis means too little calcium in the bones but too much elsewhere in the body.

„Their bones have too little calcium, but the rest of their bodies have too much calcium. How can there be too much calcium in the body if there is so little calcium in osteoporotic bone? This is a logical question to ask. In fact, it is the continuous release of calcium from osteoporotic bone that chronically increases calcium levels throughout the rest of the body.”Their bones have too little calcium, but the rest of their bodies have too much calcium. How can there be too much calcium in the body if there is so little calcium in osteoporotic bone? This is a logical question to ask. In fact, it is the continuous release of calcium from osteoporotic bone that chronically increases calcium levels throughout the rest of the body.
Dr. Thomas Levy
Thomas E. Levy

Thomas E. Levy also lists vitamins D2, C, K1, and K2, magnesium, fatty acids, and sex and thyroid hormones as factors to consider.

„1. Vitamin D2. 2. Vitamin C (osteoporosis is a focal scurvy of the bones). 3. Bioavailable magnesium. 4. Vitamins K1 and K2. 5. Essential fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil with EPA and DHA. 6. Addressing deficiencies of sex hormones (estrogen, testosterone). 7. Addressing deficiency or excess of thyroid hormone. References: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=23403980 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=22549199 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=20089500 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9624425 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=20671013”1. Vitamin D2. Vitamin C (osteoporosis is a focal scurvy of the bones)3. Bioavailable magnesium4. Vitamins K1 and K25. Essential fatty acids, such as is contained in fish oil with EPA and DHA6. Addressing deficiencies of sex hormones (estrogen, testosterone)7. Addressing deficiency or excess of thyroid hormone References:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=23403980http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=22549199http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=20089500http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9624425http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=20671013
Dr. Thomas Levy
Jerzy Jaśkowski

Jerzy Jaśkowski claims that osteoporosis was invented and that bone density is not related to fractures.

„For 20 years, people have been told that this disease exists, but in reality it was invented to defraud women. There is nothing easier than frightening people and then taking their money. Bone density is supposedly what determines whether a fracture can occur.”Od 20 lat podaje się, że ta choroba istnieje, a w rzeczywistości wymyślono ją w celu naciągania kobiet. Nie ma bowiem nic łatwiejszego niż straszyć ludzi, a później ściągać z nich pieniądze. Gęstość kości ma niby decydować o tym, czy może dojść do złamania, czy nie.
Choroby jatrogenne

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 10 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 17 449.

Combining exercise with calcium and vitamin D increased bone density in postmenopausal women, especially in the lumbar spine and femoral neck.

Aim of the study: Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) is a major cause of fragility fractures worldwide. While exercise and calcium/vitamin D are standard preventive measures, the synergistic effects of their combined use on bone mineral density (BMD) remain unclear.

Results: 13 RCTs involving postmenopausal women were included. Compared with calcium and vitamin D supplementation alone, combined interventions significantly increased lumbar spine (SMD = 0.31, 95% CI [0.06, 0.55]) and femoral neck BMD (SMD = 0.47, 95% CI [0.09, 0.84]), with consistent but nonsignificant trends at other skeletal sites. Subgroup analyses showed that whole-body vibration produced the greatest and most consistent benefits at both sites, while mind-body or traditional Chinese exercises (e.g., Baduanjin) significantly improved lumbar spine BMD. Shorter interventions (≤6 months) yielded greater gains in BMD, whereas longer durations provided no additional advantage. Exercise combined with calcium and vitamin D supplementation effectively improves bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, especially at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Whole-body vibration and mind-body exercises show the greatest benefits, with short-term interventions proving most effective.

Effects of Combined Exercise and Calcium/Vitamin D Supplementation on Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. · Nutrients 2025
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studycombined analysis of many studies (meta-analysis)

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

A meta-analysis found that calcium with vitamin D increased bone density in several areas and reduced the incidence of hip fractures.

Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to explore whether combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation is beneficial for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Results: Combined calcium and vitamin D significantly increased total bone mineral density (BMD) (standard mean differences (SMD) = 0.537; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.227 to 0.847), lumbar spine BMD (SMD = 0.233; 95% CI: 0.073 to 0.392; P < 0.001), arms BMD (SMD = 0.464; 95% CI: 0.186 to 0.741) and femoral neck BMD (SMD = 0.187; 95% CI: 0.010 to 0.364). It also significantly reduced the incidence of hip fracture (RR = 0.864; 95% CI: 0.763 to 0.979). Subgroup analysis showed that combined calcium and vitamin D significantly increased femoral neck BMD only when the dose of the vitamin D intake was no more than 400 IU d-1 (SMD = 0.335; 95% CI: 0.113 to 0.558), but not for a dose more than 400 IU d-1 (SMD = -0.098; 95% CI: -0.109 to 0.305), and calcium had no effect on the femoral neck BMD.

Effects of combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation on osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. · Food Funct 2020
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key Research and Development Program of China
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studycombined analysis of many studies (meta-analysis)

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

A meta-analysis found that calcium supplementation with vitamin D was associated with a lower risk of fractures overall and hip fractures.

Aim of the study: Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation has been widely recommended to prevent osteoporosis and subsequent fractures; however, considerable controversy exists regarding the association of such supplementation and fracture risk. The aim was to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials [RCTs] of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and fracture prevention in adults.

Results: Of the citations retrieved, eight studies including 30,970 participants met criteria for inclusion in the primary analysis, reporting 195 hip fractures and 2231 total fractures. Meta-analysis of all studies showed that calcium plus vitamin D supplementation produced a statistically significant 15 % reduced risk of total fractures (SRRE, 0.85; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.73-0.98) and a 30 % reduced risk of hip fractures (SRRE, 0.70; 95 % CI, 0.56-0.87). Numerous sensitivity and subgroup analyses produced similar summary associations. A limitation is that this study utilized data from subgroup analysis of the Women's Health Initiative. This meta-analysis of RCTs supports the use of calcium plus vitamin D supplements as an intervention for fracture risk reduction in both community-dwelling and institutionalized middle-aged to older adults.

Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and risk of fractures: an updated meta-analysis from the National Osteoporosis Foundation. · Osteoporos Int 2016
Money for the studycompany together with others · Consumer Healthcare Products Association, Council for Responsible Nutrition, Natural Products Association
Do the authors have ties to companies?yes — the authors reported it
Did a manufacturer help with the study?YES
Type of studycombined analysis of many studies (meta-analysis)
Participants30 970

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Guidelines indicate that drugs such as bisphosphonates and denosumab reduce fracture risk, so osteoporosis treatment is not limited to calcium.

Aim of the study: Key Clinical Points Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Fractures and osteoporosis are common, particularly among older women, and hip fractures can be devastating. Treatment is generally recommended in postmenopausal women who have a bone mineral density T score of -2.5 or less, a history of spine or hip fracture, or a Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) score indicating increased fracture risk.

Results: Teriparatide reduces the risk of nonvertebral and vertebral fractures. Osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical femur fractures have been reported with treatment but are rare. The benefit-to-risk ratio for osteoporosis treatment is strongly positive for most women with osteoporosis. Because benefits are retained after discontinuation of alendronate or zoledronic acid, drug holidays after 5 years of alendronate therapy or 3 years of zoledronic acid therapy may be considered for patients at lower risk for fracture.

Clinical Practice. Postmenopausal Osteoporosis. · N Engl J Med 2016
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studydiscussion of other studies

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Guidelines recommend combining dietary and lifestyle changes with medicines that can reduce the incidence of fractures.

Aim of the study: The objective is to formulate clinical practice guidelines for the pharmacological management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Results: Evidence from clinical trials and insights from clinical experience with pharmacologic therapies for osteoporosis were critically evaluated in formulating this guideline for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Patient preferences, data on adherence and persistence, and risks and benefits from the patient and provider perspectives were also considered in writing committee deliberations. A consensus by the Writing Committee members was achieved for four management principles: (i) The risk of future fractures in postmenopausal women should be determined using country-specific assessment tools to guide decision-making. (ii) Patient preferences should be incorporated into treatment planning. (iii) Nutritional and lifestyle interventions and fall prevention should accompany all pharmacologic regimens to reduce fracture risk. (iv) Multiple pharmacologic therapies are capable of reducing fracture rates in postmenopausal women at risk with acceptable risk-benefit and safety profiles.

Pharmacological Management of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society* Clinical Practice Guideline. · J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · Medical Research Council, CSRD VA
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyother

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

The review indicates that adequate calcium intake alone does not stop age-related bone loss, which it links mainly to a decline in sex hormones.

Aim of the study: Skeletal size and mass are genetically programmed. Optimum skeletal size can be attained if the nutrient supply, ie, calcium, is ample, but the age-dependent decrease in skeletal mass that begins in the third decade cannot be arrested by adequate calcium intake alone.

Results: Vitamin D supplementation beyond the recommended dietary allowance does not appear beneficial in osteoporosis, but may be so in cases of senile hyperparathyroidism. Calculations based on bone calcium turnover indicate that the recommended dietary allowance for calcium is adequate for boys and men, but is insufficient for adolescent girls. Calcium intake by women is probably too low to slow bone calcium turnover to its programmed minimum. Adequate calcium intake in childhood and adolescence is essential to attain the optimal bone mass and size.

Calcium and osteoporosis. · Am J Clin Nutr 1994
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studydiscussion of other studies

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

More frequent addition of salt to food was associated with a higher risk of osteoporosis.

Aim of the study: To investigate the association between the frequency of adding salt to foods and incident osteoporosis and assess effect modification by genetic susceptibility.

Results: During a median follow-up of 14.7 years, 15,953 osteoporosis cases were documented. Compared with the never/rarely group, fully adjusted HRs were 1.09 (95% CI 1.04-1.15) for usually and 1.32 (95% CI 1.24-1.41) for always (P for trend <0.001). The association was stronger in men, White participants, and those with higher BMI. In joint analyses, participants with high genetic risk who always added salt had the highest risk (HR 2.68, 95% CI 2.41-2.98). In the same cohort, always adding salt was also associated with higher cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.14-1.23) and cardiovascular events (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.17-1.26). A higher frequency of adding salt to foods was associated with a higher risk of incident osteoporosis. Together with the cardiovascular associations observed in this cohort, these findings suggest that adding salt to foods may be a modifiable behavior relevant to multiple age-related diseases.

Adding salt to foods, genetic susceptibility, and risk of incident osteoporosis. · J Nutr Health Aging 2026
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · National Key Research and Development Program of China, Central South University Research Programme of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation General Program Youth C Project
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studyobservation of people
Participants491 428

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

COPD was associated with a higher risk of osteoporosis, independent of the demographic factors, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities considered.

Aim of the study: To explore the associations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with falls and osteoporosis, and the potential modifications of the associations.

Results: Among the included participants, 45.8% were males and the mean age was 56.4 years. A total of 22,363 (4.7%) participants had COPD. During a median follow-up of 12.1 years, 28,527 participants experienced falls and 8811 were diagnosed with osteoporosis. After adjustment for demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities, COPD was associated with higher risks of falls (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.45 to 1.58) and osteoporosis (HR 2.37, 95% CI 2.22 to 2.53). A significant interaction with sex was observed for osteoporosis (HR 2.94, 95% CI 2.54 to 3.40 in males and HR 2.25, 95% CI 2.09 to 2.42 in females, P for interaction<0.001). Smoking status significantly modified the association with falls, with HRs of 1.37 (95% CI 1.28 to 1.47) in never smokers, 1.54 (95% CI 1.44 to 1.64) in previous smokers, and 1.77 (95% CI 1.61 to 1.95) in current smokers (P for interaction<0.001). COPD was associated with the increased risks of falls and osteoporosis.

The Association Between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and the Risks of Falls and Osteoporosis: A Cohort Study in the UK Biobank. · Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2026
Money for the studyuniversity or foundation · Center for Computational Science and Engineering at Southern University of Science and Technology
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studyobservation of people

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Among people with type 2 diabetes, higher HbA1c levels were associated with lower bone mineral density.

Aim of the study: This comparative cross-sectional study evaluated bone mineral density (BMD) and its association with glycemic control and biochemical bone markers among adults with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.

Results: T2DM was diagnosed in 69.9% of participants; 48.0% had osteopenia and 19.2% had osteoporosis. Chronological age was associated with progressive bone mineral density loss across successive cohorts (Pearson χ² = 11.14, p = 0.025). Among participants with T2DM, mean HbA1c increased progressively with longer diabetes duration (Spearman's rho = 0.310, p = 0.027). In an exploratory multinomial logistic regression model, higher HbA1c was associated with lower bone mineral density categories each 1% increase in HbA1c was associated with higher odds of osteopenia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-4.88; p = 0.024) and osteoporosis (aOR = 3.89, 95% CI: 1.45-10.42; p = 0.007). Serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were not significantly associated with bone mineral density. Low bone mineral density was common in this study population.

Glycated hemoglobin and bone mineral density in adults with and without type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional DXA study from the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. · BMC Endocr Disord 2026
Money for the studyuniversity or foundation · Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at Qassim University
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studyobservation of people
Participants73

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Women with hyperparathyroidism were more likely than men to have osteopenia or osteoporosis and fractures.

Aim of the study: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) predominantly affects women, particularly after menopause. Whether sex-related differences extend beyond epidemiology to influence the clinical expression of the disease remains incompletely understood. We investigated sex-related differences in the clinical phenotype of PHPT.

Results: A total of 315 patients were included (64 men and 251 women; female-to-male ratio 3.9:1). Mean age at diagnosis was similar between sexes (60 ± 16 vs. 59 ± 13 years, p = 0.499), and 77% of women were postmenopausal. Despite comparable mean serum calcium levels, men more frequently presented with serum calcium concentrations > 1 mg/dL above the upper limit of normal (42% vs. 29%, p = 0.042), higher urinary calcium excretion, and lower serum phosphate levels. Women showed significantly greater skeletal involvement, with a higher prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis (71.7% vs. 53.1%, p = 0.004), vertebral fractures (44% vs. 12%, p < 0.001), non-vertebral fragility fractures (34% vs. 12%, p = 0.003), and bone and muscle pain (60.7% vs. 10.3%, p < 0.001). Conversely, nephrolithiasis (p = 0.013) and cardiovascular comorbidities (p = 0.046) were more frequent in men.

Sex differences in the clinical presentation and complications of primary hyperparathyroidism: insights from a single-center cohort study. · Endocrine 2026
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyobservation of people
Participants315

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Perspectives and opinion materials

The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.

Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Prescription drugs and calcium supplements have no significant benefits for treating osteoporosis. Earlier this year, a meta-analysis published in JAMA found that bisphosphonates, a major class of prescription osteoporosis drugs, offer very few benefits to osteoporotic patients. [5] Another meta-analysis in JAMA showed that calcium supplements do not offer significant help for osteoporosis. [6] Calcium supplements increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.”Prescription drugs and calcium supplements have no significant benefits for treating osteoporosis. Earlier this year, a meta-analysis published on JAMA found that bisphosphonates, a major class of prescription osteoporosis drugs offer very few benefits to osteoporotic patients. [5] Another meta-analysis on JAMA showed calcium supplements do not offer significant help to osteoporosis. [6] Calcium supplements increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
Bone Health and Osteoporosis: An Orthomolecular Perspective
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Key Points Osteoporosis is not simply a calcium deficiency disease. Bone strength depends not only on mineralization, but also on collagen matrix integrity, connective tissue quality, muscle function, and overall biological resilience. Vitamin C plays a central role in collagen formation and bone matrix physiology, highlighting that osteoporosis cannot be understood solely as a disorder of calcium metabolism. Single-nutrient interventions often produce limited effects in multifactorial chronic diseases.”Key Points Osteoporosis is not simply a calcium deficiency disease. Bone strength depends not only on mineralization, but also on collagen matrix integrity, connective tissue quality, muscle function, and overall biological resilience. Vitamin C plays a central role in collagen formation and bone matrix physiology, highlighting that osteoporosis cannot be understood solely as a disorder of calcium metabolism. Single-nutrient interventions often produce limited effects in multifactorial chronic diseases.
BMJ Osteoporosis Meta-Analysis: Why Bone Health Is More Than Calcium and Vitamin D
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„The Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) reviewed the evidence regarding vitamin D and calcium supplementation for preventing cancer and osteoporotic fractures in adults and concluded that there is insufficient evidence to assess the balance of the benefits and harms of vitamin D with or without calcium for the primary prevention of cancer [1]. This finding is based on reviewing the evidence from two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of vitamin D plus calcium supplementation and two reviews of the literature. There are several problems with their review and recommendation.”Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) reviewed the evidence regarding vitamin D and calcium supplementation for preventing cancer and osteoporotic fractures in adults and concluded that there is insufficient evidence to assess the balance of the benefits and harms of vitamin D with or without calcium for the primary prevention of cancer [1]. This finding is based on reviewing the evidence from two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of vitamin D plus calcium supplementation and two reviews of the literature. There are several problems with their review and recommendation.
Government Gets it Wrong Again: U.S. Recommendation for Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation is Too Low

Pisaczek does not judge who is right. It shows what was written and where to read it. Every sentence above has its source.