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Fractures, calcium, and the modern diet¹

Although high calcium intakes have long been recommended to prevent osteoporosis, there is little evidence that high calcium intakes effectively prevent fractures. Osteoporotic fractures are, like coronary artery disease, largely a disease of Western societies. Recent evidence that the statins that block the mevalonate pathway, lower serum cholesterol concentrations, and improve cardiovascular disease risk also prevent fractures, together with the increasing evidence that diets high in fruit and vegetables are beneficial in preventing fractures, suggest common dietary etiologic factors. Further research in this area should answer the long-standing question: Why do populations who consume low-calcium diets have fewer fractures than do Western societies who consume high-calcium diets?

Key Words: Osteoporosis • fractures • calcium • statins • low-fat diets

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