Dietary and supplemental calcium intake and bone changes during antiresorptive osteoporosis treatment in older women: a longitudinal observational study
Authors' conclusion
In calcium-replete older women, protein intake rather than CaS influences total hip bone changes with OM.
Study context
- Population
- Calcium-replete older women (median age 67 years), Geneva Retirees Cohort
- Participants
- 586 women
- Exposure
- Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) or antiresorptives (AR) vs no osteoporosis medications (OM), by calcium and protein intake and calcium supplements (CaS) use
- MHTn = 101
- ARn = 67
- No OMn = 418reference
- Outcome
- Annual changes in total hip BMD, strength and structure, by calcium and protein intake
- Follow-up
- Median 3.5 years
Methodological detailsprospective cohort (Geneva Retirees Cohort), 2D/3D-DXA and finite element analysis
- Prospective cohort (Geneva Retirees Cohort)
- 2D/3D-DXA and finite element analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- MHT or AR increased total hip bone mineral density (BMD) and strength vs no OM
- Neither total calcium intake (above or below 1200 mg/day) nor CaS use significantly affected bone outcomes
- Low calcium intake (< 800 mg/day) without CaS: no difference in changes of BMD or bone strength between women with and without OM
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
AR effects in women with protein intake < 0.8 g/kg/day
- Reduced improvement in trabecular BMD
- P = 0.009
- Reduced improvement in total hip strength
- P = 0.040
- AR effects were blunted
Calcium intake and supplement use (descriptive)
- Total calcium intake (diet + supplements), mg/day
- 1503
- Women meeting recommendations (≥ 1200 mg/day)
- 71%
- CaS use
- 51%
- Vitamin D use
- 70%
Original publication
Dietary and supplemental calcium intake and bone changes during antiresorptive osteoporosis treatment in older women: a longitudinal observational study. Osteoporos Int. Published 17 July 2026. doi:10.
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