The findings indicate that supplements alone are not an effective strategy for most older adults to prevent falls or fractures, underscoring the need for individualized, comprehensive bone-health plans.

Beyond supplements, focus on lifestyle and diet factors such as adequate protein and dietary fiber, alongside micronutrients like magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin K2, paired with activities that build balance and mobility, including walking and targeted training.

Exercise guidelines recommend two to three days of strength training weekly and regular impact exercises to boost bone mineral density, with gradual progression for those with osteoporosis, aiming to strengthen the lumbar spine and hip.

Experts urge caution against overreacting to the study, noting that calcium and vitamin D remain important but should be tailored to individual health conditions such as osteoporosis, deficiency, very low calcium intake, malabsorption, or kidney disease.

Effective prevention goes beyond supplements and includes routine strength and balance training, ongoing physical activity, home safety improvements, routine vision and hearing checks, appropriate osteoporosis screening, and the use of assistive devices when needed.

As people age, bone density tends to decline, elevating the risk of falls and fractures, which are major sources of injury and mortality among older adults.

A comprehensive BMJ analysis of 69 trials with nearly 154,000 participants found that vitamin D, calcium, or their combination offer little to no meaningful protection against fractures or falls.

Nutrition matters, emphasizing food-based calcium and nutrient synergy over high-dose supplements, highlighting the importance of overall dietary patterns.