Popular Science Debunks Rumors: If you have osteoporosis, you just need to supplement calcium, the more the better?

Popular Science Debunks Rumors

Osteoporosis Special Topic

Rumors debunked: Calcium supplementation alone is not enough to treat osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is essentially a metabolic bone disease, and the metabolic imbalance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts is its main cause.

Calcium is the cornerstone of bones. Calcium supplementation is one of the basic treatments for osteoporosis. However, the fundamental treatment is to correct the balance of bone metabolism and maintain bone homeostasis. Therefore, calcium supplementation alone is not enough to treat osteoporosis. In addition, the intestinal absorption of calcium has a threshold, about 300-500 mg each time, and the excess calcium is excreted from the intestine in urine. The more calcium you take, the better. Large doses of calcium supplementation will not only fail to be absorbed by the intestine, but also increase the risk of kidney stones and cardiovascular calcification.

Therefore, the best way to prevent and treat osteoporosis is to combine anti-osteoporosis drugs, exercise and rehabilitation treatment on the basis of reasonable calcium supplementation.

Author: Hong Wei, Chief Physician of Osteoporosis Clinic, Health Management Department, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University

Expert of Bone and Joint Rehabilitation Committee of Chinese Rehabilitation Medicine Association