High calcium may not prevent fractures

BOSTON, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Lots of calcium may not be needed to prevent osteoporosis but it is good for the colon, a U.S. health newsletter says.

The Harvard Health Letter reports that prospective studies -- studies that follow large numbers of people for many years -- don't show getting a lot of calcium is needed to prevent osteoporosis and related bone fractures.

The newsletter says that a certain level of calcium intake is undoubtedly important to keeping bones strong but amounts above that level might not do much good. However, one reason some of these studies on supplements may not have shown a benefit is because the study participants were already getting more than 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily through diet.

"Americans over age 50 are supposed to get 1,200 mg of calcium daily, but 600 mg is probably enough for most people to keep their fracture risk low," the Health Letter says in a statement.

"Still, because extra calcium might be protective against colon cancer, a daily intake of 600 to 1,000 mg is a reasonable goal."