Thursday, March 09, 2006

Clarify Women's Health Initiative Calcium Findings

New Information: You might have read about some nutrition studies recently in the newspaper. I am posting this information in hopes it will help clarify the issues brought up by the studies. The following information was put out by Dr.Jamie McManus, Chairman, Medical Affairs, Health Sciences & Education, Shaklee Corporation.

The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study on calcium and vitamin D was published last week, with the lead investigator on the study leading his interviews with the most negative findings of the study and seemingly ignoring the positive results. While the study is not flawed, there are two factors that affected the ultimate findings. One, the population was too young to demonstrate a reduction in hip fractures and two, the study did not last long enough to show the reduction in colon cancer risk (study was 7 years and colon cancer takes 10-20 years to materialize). The study did show a significant increase in hip bone density (this is good!) and also a non-significant (but present) reduction in hip fracture risk. So, again, this is a limited study and does not lessen the importance of Vitamin D as well as calcium in supporting bone health, reducing risk of hip fracture (other studies have shown this-future studies can continue to define) as well as in the myriad of other functional roles these essential nutrints play in the body. It is well established that people do not take in adequate amounts of calcium, and there is growing concern that many populations, especially the elderly and those who live in northern latitudes are deficient in Vitamin D.

Additional Information: Read an informative pamphlet about a premium, state-of-the-art, bone building supplement.