By Gabe DiMaio
Buffalo, NY – Daily calcium and Vitamin D supplements do not lower the risk of colorectal cancer as was previously thought. This, Wednesday, from the Women's Health Initiative -- a long-term national health study that focuses on preventing diseases in postmenopausal women.
While they do not lower the risk of colorectal cancer, the research shows that the supplements did provide a modest benefit in preserving bone mass and preventing hip fractures. UB's Dr. Jean Wactawski Wende says the results were more favorable for older women.
"The women who were over age 60 in the trial actually had a 21 percent significant reduction in hip fractures for those who were on the active calcium and vitamin D," Wactawski Wende said.
UB is one of the forty clinical trial sites for the Women's Health Initiative.