A seven-year study of healthy women over 50 reports no clear benefit from calcium and vitamin D supplements in preventing broken bones.
The study also found no proof that the supplements prevented colorectal cancer but did find evidence of an increased risk of kidney stones, The New York Times said.
Leaders of the $18 million survey, zeroing in on 36,282 normal, healthy women aged 50 to 79, say the only positive effect was a 1 percent increase in bone density at the hip.
The study, being released Thursday, is part of the Women's Health Initiative, a large federal project whose results have upset some popular beliefs and raised questions about public health messages. Supplements involved in the latest report have wide endorsement of doctors.
The initiative earlier reported findings that low fat diets do not protect against breast or colorectal cancer or heart disease.
© Copyright 2006 by United Press International
