The Impact of Calcium and Vitamin D3 Supplements in Osteoporosis Prophylaxis

Abstract

CONTEXT: Osteoporosis is a major health issue with a high prevalence among the elderly population. Preventive interventions, such as the administration of calcium and vitamin D3 supplements, can help reduce the risk of fractures. This paper provide evidence that can stay at the basis of a further investigation on the role of calcium and vitamin D3 supplements in the prevention and reduction of osteoporosis risk.
METHODS: The study was carried out in two stages: a literature review and a descriptive study, carried out by administering a questionnaire to 60 participants aged between 20 and 60 years. The questionnaire included questions about dietary habits, the consumption of calcium and vitamin D3 supplements, physical activity levels, and personal or family history of bone-related conditions.
RESULTS: The largest age group of respondents was between 20-30 years old, representing 51.7% of all participants in the question, the rest 16.7% aged 41-50 years, 15% aged 31- 40 years, 8.3% under 20 years and 8.4% aged 51-60.The majority of participants had completed higher education (63.3%) and were female (76.7%). Among all respondents, 20% had a family history of osteoporosis, and 90% were aware of the role of calcium and vitamin D3 in the prevention of osteoporosis. However, only half of them used calcium supplements (54.3%) and vitamin D3 (63.3%). Following the use of supplements, 40% of respondents reported an improvement in bone health, with no side effects reported. Regarding dietary habits and physical activity, the majority of respondents consume foods rich in calcium (95%) and vitamin D (98.3%), and 46.7% engage in regular physical exercise. Among all respondents, 83.1% consider calcium and vitamin D3 supplements effective, and 93.3% would recommend taking calcium supplements to others for the prevention of osteoporosis.
CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm the importance of calcium and vitamin D3 supplements in the prevention of osteoporosis. The study highlights the need for promoting better awareness about osteoporosis prevention and the necessity of developing national programs focused on preventing this condition. The implementation of preventive strategies could significantly contribute to improving the quality of life for patients.