Calcium-vitamin D supplementation is an effective, safe, and broadly applicable fall and fracture prophylaxis. In addition to much acclaimed, spectacular, new achievements in medicine, this simple, solidly based basic measure should not be neglected in general practice.

That more attention should be paid to supplementation becomes clear when the frightening projections for the development of osteoporosis fractures in the coming years are taken into account.

The population of Switzerland is getting older and older, more and more osteoporosis fractures have to be treated and the costs are rising sharply. In 2010, an estimated 74,000 new osteoporosis fractures occurred in Switzerland [1]. Nearly 99,000 new osteoporosis fractures are expected in 2025.

The resulting costs are already enormous and will continue to rise sharply in the coming years. In 2010, the cost of new and prior fracture events in osteoporosis was estimated at CHF 2.05 billion [1]. Costs of CHF 2.64 billion are expected for 2025.
 

PDF: Expert Interview

Calcium vitamin D supplementation in practice
 

Osteoporosis prevention is recommended

A 25(OH)D level of at least 50 nmol/l is required to support bone health (osteoporosis prevention) in all adults and muscle health (fall prevention) in older persons 60 years and older [2]. In addition to vitamin D production in the skin, a vitamin D intake of 600 IU is recommended in Switzerland for adults under 60 years of age and 800 IU for adults 60 years of age and older [2]. Many people need vitamin D supplementation, not only in the winter months when vitamin D production in the skin is insufficient between November and April when sun intensity is too low. Even in spring, summer and fall, many people’s exposure to the sun is limited and sunscreens are widely used. Moreover, few sources of vitamin D are available in the diet [2]. Because supplementation is a long-term prophylaxis, the intake regimen must be as simple as possible to maintain adherence. For years of calcium-vitamin D supplementation, a film-coated tablet works well. Kalcipos-D3 is the only film-coated tablet in Switzerland that contains 500 mg calcium together with 800 IU vitamin D in an ideally balanced dosage for supplementation.

Three renowned Swiss experts comment here on calcium-vitamin D supplementation in practice. They shed light on the importance of supplementation for maintaining bone and muscle health and for osteoporosis fracture prevention.
PDF: Expert Interview

Literature:

1. Svedbom A, et al: Epidemiology and economic burden of osteoporosis in Switzerland. Arch Osteoporos 2014; 9: 187.
2. Federal Office of Public Health: Vitamin D deficiency: data situation, safety and recommendations for the Swiss population. 2012.