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Studies have shown that taking calcium and vitamin D supplements together can lower the risk of overall death by 15%. Through this study, the relationship between the use of calcium and vitamin D supplements and mortality in Koreans was identified, and the basis for taking calcium and vitamin D in combination was established.

Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements together can lower the risk of death by 15%, study finds | Source: Getty Image Bank

Using the National Health Insurance Service cohort data, the research team led by Professor Kim Shin-gon of the Department of Endocrinology at Korea University Anam Hospital collected data from a total of 27,846 patients, including 6,256 patients who took calcium supplements alone for more than 90 days and 21,590 patients who took calcium supplements and vitamin D together. Analyzed.

As a result, there was no difference in total mortality in the group taking calcium supplements alone compared to those who did not take calcium supplements and vitamin D. However, when taking a combination of vitamin D and calcium supplements, the overall mortality rate was 15% lower than those who did not take it. In particular, the risk of cardiovascular-related death was confirmed to be 28% lower. In addition, calcium supplement and vitamin D combination was observed to be more effective in △women than men △aged 65 years or older △having underlying cardiovascular or cancer diseases.

The research team said, “Through the study, it was confirmed that combination therapy of calcium and vitamin D can contribute to lowering the risk of mortality.” Applying calcium and vitamin D combination therapy may be helpful.”

The study was published in the international journal ‘Journal of Internal Medicine’.

The Role of Calcium and Vitamin D… What is the proper intake?
Calcium and vitamin D are nutrients that play an important role in the functioning of the human body. First, calcium plays a role in forming bones and teeth and keeping them strong. Calcium is also essential for regulating various physiological functions such as blood coagulation, nerve transmission, muscle contraction and relaxation, and cell metabolism.

Vitamin D is also closely related to bone health. Although it is not a component that directly forms bone, it plays an important role in maintaining calcium and phosphorus concentrations. In addition, vitamin D helps the production of immune cells and contributes to immunity enhancement.

Calcium and vitamin D play a variety of roles in the body, so be careful not to be deficient. When there is a lack of calcium in the body, calcium is dissolved in the bones to maintain the blood calcium concentration, and as a result, the bones become weak, leading to osteopenia and osteoporosis. When vitamin D is insufficient, problems such as growth disorders, rickets, and osteomalacia appear.

However, it is important to remember that both nutrients can cause side effects even when excessive in the body. Excessive levels of calcium and vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia is a condition that can cause symptoms such as anorexia, weight loss, and cardiac arrhythmias. In addition, if hypercalcemia lasts for a long time, the risk of various diseases such as cardiovascular disease may increase, so caution is needed.

If so, what is the optimal intake of calcium and vitamin D? According to the ‘2020 Nutrient Intake Standards’ of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the daily recommended intake of calcium is △500~1,000mg for growth period △700~800mg for adult period △700~800mg for old age. In the case of ‘upper limit intake’, which refers to the maximum nutrient intake without harmful effects on the human body, △2,500~3,000mg for growth period △2,000~2,500mg for adult period △2,000mg for elderly period is suggested.

In the case of vitamin D, the daily variation in intake is large, and since it is also produced by sunlight, it is difficult to calculate the required amount, so a sufficient intake is suggested. The daily sufficient intake of vitamin D is △5 to 10 μg in the growth period △10 μg in the adult period △15 μg in the elderly period. The upper limit intake is △ growth period 30 ~ 100μg △ adult period 100μg △ elderly period 100μg.

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No matter what disease you have, it is important to know exactly what your current condition is. This is because it can determine the direction of treatment in the future. The same goes for osteoporosis. However, not many people who have undergone related tests know their own BMD levels. What is the reason?

Bone density testing is the most commonly used test for diagnosing osteoporosisㅣSource: Getty Image Bank
Bone Mineral Density (BMD)
A bone density test is a test that measures the bone density of a specific part of our body using radiation and then quantifies the result. The test result is expressed as a number, which is called a bone density score (T-score). When 0 is set as a normal value, the higher the negative number, the lower the bone density and the more severe the osteoporosis.

A T score of -1 to -2.5 is defined as osteopenia, and -2.5 or less as osteoporosis. A T score of -1 represents a 10% decrease in BMD compared to healthy young adults, and -2.5 represents a 25% decrease.

Bone mineral density can also be expressed as a Z score, which is a value showing the difference from the average bone density of adults of the same age. Typically, children, adolescents, premenopausal women, and men younger than 50 years of age are diagnosed using the Z score.

“Revision of the form for notification of results of health check-up and bone density test”
Starting this year, the measurement site and bone density score (T-score) will be written in the bone density test result of the health checkup result notification. Previously, only normal and abnormal conditions were indicated in the bone density test result part. However, from this year, it will provide bone density scores and measurement sites so that patients and medical staff can directly identify the severity of osteoporosis and take action.

The measurement site was changed to select one of ▲hip joint ▲lumbar spine ▲other. Wrist fractures are common in people in their 50s, but the incidence of hip and lumbar spine fractures increases with age. The reason for describing the measurement site is that the rate of degeneration differs depending on the site. As a result of the bone density test, even if it corresponds to osteopenia, the spine side is close to osteoporosis, and the femur side is often osteopenia.

The addition of bone density scores is also expected to be of great help in the treatment of osteoporosis. If the BMD score is shown, redundant testing can be prevented, and it can be used as a reference for drug prescription and secondary treatment through follow-up treatment. This increases the effectiveness of the bone density test results.

“Remarkably low treatment rate after diagnosis of osteoporosis”
Even if osteoporosis is diagnosed, proper drug treatment can prevent further worsening of symptoms or the occurrence of fractures that endanger life. However, according to the ‘Osteoporosis Fact Sheet’ published by the Korean Society of Bone and Metabolism in 2019, 4 out of 10 osteoporosis patients do not use medical services. Even 7 out of 10 female patients and 8 out of 10 male patients did not receive drug treatment.

Osteoporosis medications include oral medications and injections. Oral medications should be taken on an empty stomach for at least 30 minutes after taking once a week or once a month. Injectables need to visit the hospital every time or inject themselves every day. Experts say that no matter how much hassle you have, you should continue to treat osteoporosis. This is because osteoporosis can break bones even with a small impact, and once a fracture occurs, the fatality rate rises rapidly.

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