ATHENS—Dietary intervention with vitamin D and calcium via supplementation with fortified dairy products can have a favorabe effect on bone mineral density (BMD), according to a recent study by University of Athens and Harokopio University of Athens researchers. Pubished online (April, 7, 2010) by the British Journal of Medicine, the report details the 30-month interention study of postmenopausal women who, in addition to supplementation, underwent lifestyle and nutrition counseling. The sixty-six women aged 55 to 65 years were randomized to either a treatment group—1,200 mg calcium and 7.5 mcg D3 for 12 months followed by 18 months of the same calcium dose but 22.5 mcg D3—or a control group that received neither the fortified dairy products nor the counseling.
Results showed the women taking the dairy products had more favorable changes in arm, total spine and total body BMD compared to the control group. Thus the researchers concluded sufficient intakes of vitamin D and calcium from fortified dairy foods for 30 months, combined with compliance ensured by lifestyle and nutrition counselling sessions, can induce positive changes in arms, total spine and total body BMD of postmenopausal women.
