VITAMIN D – MORE IMPORTANT THAN CALCIUM IN BONE HEALTH?.

Adequate vitamin D status for optimum bone health has received increased recognition in recent years, and rightfully so, according to a new study published in JAMA. The study was designed to investigate the importance of calcium intake and serum vitamin D levels for calcium homeostasis, as determined by intact parathyroid hormone. The author concluded as long as vitamin D status is ensured, calcium intake of more than 800 mg/d may be unnecessary for maintaining calcium metabolism. (Steingrimsdottir, L., Gunnarsson, O., et al., “Relationship between serum parathyroid hormone levels, vitamin D sufficiency, and calcium intake.” JAMA. 2005;294:2336-2341.)