Calcium and vitamin D supplements are among the best-selling dietary supplements worldwide — older adults, in particular, take them hoping to strengthen their bones and prevent falls. One of the largest review studies on this topic is now fundamentally questioning these benefits.
Researchers from Canada analyzed 69 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 153,902 adults. The results, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), indicate that neither calcium alone, nor vitamin D alone, nor the combination of both supplements significantly reduced the risk of bone fractures or falls to a clinically meaningful extent. The authors rated the evidence for this as "moderate to high."
These findings held true regardless of age, gender, prior bone fractures, or dietary calcium intake. No protective effect was observed even for hip fractures — the most dangerous type of bone fracture in older age.
The study authors recommend reconsidering the routine prescription of these supplements. Instead, resources should be directed towards interventions with proven efficacy: balance training, strength exercises, and individualized fall prevention programs. Important: These results do not apply to individuals with certain bone diseases or those already taking osteoporosis medications.
Source: Massé O et al. Calcium, vitamin D, or combined supplementation to prevent fractures and falls: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2026;393:e088050. DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2025-088050
