Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation During Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: A Critical Review.
Oncologist. 2012 Jul 25.
Datta M, Schwartz GG.
Departments of Cancer Biology, Urology, and Epidemiology and Prevention, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
Background. Loss of bone mineral density is an unintended consequence of androgen deprivation therapy in men with prostate cancer.
Supplementation with calcium and/or vitamin D in these men seems logical and is advocated by many lay and professional groups.
Methods. We reviewed guidelines for calcium and vitamin D supplementation and the results of clinical trials of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone mineral density in men with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy.
Results. Whether supplementation of men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy with calcium and/or vitamin D results in higher bone mineral density than no supplementation has not been tested. The results of 12 clinical trials show that, at the doses commonly recommended, 500-1,000 mg calcium and 200-500 IU vitamin D per day, men undergoing androgen deprivation lose bone mineral density.
Conclusion. The doses of calcium and vitamin D that have been tested are inadequate to prevent loss of bone mineral density in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy. In light of evidence that high levels of dietary calcium and calcium supplement use are associated with higher risks for cardiovascular disease and advanced prostate cancer, intervention studies should evaluate the safety as well as the efficacy of calcium and vitamin D supplementation in these men.
PMID: 22836449
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Several of the above papers indicate that > 4000 IU of vitamin D is needed, often along with cofactors, to improve bone health- Overview Vitamin K and Vitamin D one of the cofactors needed for bone health
- Overview Vitamin D Dose-Response provides details about the # of IU of vitamin D needed
Interesting to see the wording of the title of the review of this paper - typical of many reviews
- The Value Of Calcium And Vitamin D Supplements Questioned
No mention in the title that too little of vitamin D was used to be of any possible benefit.
You can see in the following chart that 20ng does not reduce the probability of any disease except rickets
- CLICK HERE for larger image and more charts of disease incidence
- 85% achieved 20 nanograms with daily average of 3300 IU of vitamin D
200 to 500 IU vitamin D does not benefit bones nor prostate cancer – July 20123191 visitors, last modified 10 Nov, 2012, This page is in the following categories (# of items in each category) - All items in category Bone Health