Product Reviews and Information for Bone Health

5/14/2024

When Taking Calcium Hurts

Results of a major study suggest that supplementing with calcium can decrease or increase the risk of hip fracture in postmenopausal women depending on age. See the details in the Bone health and fractures section of our Calcium Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for calcium and for vitamin D.

5/31/2024

Coffee Intake & Osteoporosis

Drinking coffee was linked with a lower risk of osteoporosis in a recent study, but the amount and type of coffee both appear to matter. See the details in our article about coffee and bone health.

6/04/2024

Walnuts for Bone Health?

Did eating walnuts daily for 2 years reduce fractures among older men and women? Find out what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of our Shelled Walnuts Review, which includes our Top Picks among shelled walnuts.

Also see: Do any supplements or diets help prevent or treat osteoporosis?

6/11/2024

Magnesium for Dental Implants?

Does taking magnesium improve the outcomes of dental implant placement? Find out what a recent study showed in the Bone Health section of our Magnesium Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for magnesium.

9/22/2023

BoneUp for Osteoporosis?

The supplement BoneUp is promoted for bone health, but is there evidence that it helps with osteoporosis? Find out in our article about supplements for osteoarthritis, which includes results of ConsumerLab tests of BoneUp’s quality.

10/06/2023

Collagen for Stronger Bones?

Can collagen supplementation help strengthen bones? Find out what studies suggest in the Bone health section of our Collagen Supplements Review.

Also see: Do any supplements or diets help prevent or treat osteoporosis?

4/26/2022

Herb For Weak Bones?

Can supplementing with Cissus quadrangularis powder improve bone density in postmenopausal women? Find out what a recent study showed in our answer about OsteoMD, a bone health supplement containing this ingredient.

Also see our answer to the question: Do any supplements help prevent or treat osteoporosis?

10/05/2021

Silica for Dental Implant Inflammation?

Can a form of silica typically promoted for hair, skin, nail and bone health also help reduce inflammation and bone loss around dental implants? See what a recent study found in our updated article about Silica Supplements.

10/26/2021

Reducing Risk of Fractures & Falls With Milk, Cheese and Yogurt?

Can increasing calcium and protein intake from foods such as milk, cheese and yogurt reduce the risk of fractures and falls in older men and women? See what a new study found in the Bone Health and Fractures section of our Calcium Supplements Review.

11/02/2021

Sun Protection and Bone Health

Does staying out of the sun or using sunscreen increase the risk of osteoporosis or bone fracture? Find out what a recent study suggests in the Getting vitamin D from sunlight section of our Vitamin D Supplements Review.

5/12/2013

Magnesium and Bone Health

New research shows why getting adequate magnesium is important for bones -- but this doesn't mean that you must take a magnesium-containing supplement. Get more information in our updated Magnesium and Calcium-Magnesium Supplements Review >>

5/24/2017

Stroke Risk with Calcium

A new study shows that high-dose calcium supplements may double the risk of stroke in men and women. The risk of heart attack is also increased, as shown in other studies. However, there are ways to take calcium without this risk and still get bone health benefits. For details, see the "Concerns and Cautions" section of the Calcium Supplements Review >>

8/19/2024

More Vitamin K Products Fall Short

Several popular "bone health" supplements have failed to pass our tests for having less vitamin K than listed, and the issue seems widespread according to recent market tests. For more information, see the What CL Found section of our Vitamin K Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among vitamin K supplements.

1/12/2024

Shilajit for Collagen and Bone?

Does taking shilajit increase collagen production or bone density? Find out in our article about the health benefits of shilajit.

7/21/2013

Vitamin D May Protect Bones From Aging

Researchers recently analyzed bone samples from people who were deficient in vitamin D and found changes indicating that the bone had "aged" and was more brittle than bone from people not deficient in vitamin D. For details about this study -- including the levels of vitamin D associated with Vitamin D May Protect Bones from Aging -- Researchers recently analyzed bone samples from people who were deficient in vitamin D and found changes indicating that the bone had "aged" and was more brittle than bone from people not deficient in vitamin D. For details about this study -- including the levels of vitamin D associated with these changes, studies of other effects of vitamin D, as well as test results and comparisons for 55 vitamin D supplements, see the updated Vitamin D Supplements Review >>   

6/15/2018

Better Bone Broth

How a bone broth is prepared can significantly affect its content of amino acids - building blocks for muscle and collagen, according to a recent study. Learn how to find or make better bone broth in the ConsumerTips section of the Bone Broth Review. (Also see our Top Picks among bone broths.)

10/06/2013

Vitamin D for Post-Menopausal Women

A study compared the effects of low-dose and high-dose vitamin D on bone mineral density in post-menopausal women who were also supplemented with calcium. Both dosages helped prevent loss of bone mineral density, but the higher dose was less efficient in reducing bone turnover, i.e., bone loss, contrary to what the researchers expected.  For details, including dosage, see the updated Vitamin D Supplements Review>>

10/13/2020

Vitamin K for Weak Bones?

Does supplementing with vitamin K2 as MK-7 along with vitamin D and calcium improve bone density in postmenopausal women with weak bones (osteopenia)? Find out what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of Vitamin K Supplements Review. Also, learn about other forms of vitamin K used for increasing bone density and see our Top Picks for vitamin K.

6/14/2024

Probiotic for Bone Loss?

Did taking a probiotic reduce loss of bone mineral density in older women? Find out in the Bone density and fractures section of our Probiotic Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among probiotics.

Also see: Do any supplements or diets help prevent or treat osteoporosis?

2/11/2022

Vitamin D & Infant Bone Density

Does vitamin D supplementation improve bone density in breast-fed infants? Find out what a recent study suggests in the Bones and Fractures section of our Vitamin D Supplements Review.

1/10/2023

Calorie Restriction & Bone Loss

Reducing calorie intake can help with weight management but it can also lead to bone loss. Find out what experts have recently recommended to help curb bone loss and reduce fracture risk when dieting in our updated CL Answer about supplements and diets for osteoporosis.

8/27/2019

Effect of High-Dose Vitamin D on Bones

A 3-year study among people with osteoporosis compared the effects of moderate vs. high doses of vitamin D on bone density and bone strength. The results may surprise you. Get the details in the How Much Do You Need and How Much is Too Much? section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D supplements.

1/14/2020

Vitamin D & Bone Density

Does taking vitamin D improve bone mineral density in older men and women who are not deficient in vitamin D? See what a major study found in the Bones and fractures section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D.

8/17/2019

Do Probiotics Help With Bone Facture?

Can taking a probiotic improve recovery from bone fracture in older people? See what a recent study found in the Bone Density and Fractures section of the Probiotic Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for probiotics.

6/23/2018

Probiotics for Bones

Can taking a daily probiotic help reduce bone loss? Find out what a year-long study showed in the Bone density and fractures section of the Probiotic Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks among probiotic supplements.)

6/07/2015

Melatonin Increases Bone Density

Research has begun to suggest that melatonin may have a positive effect on the skeleton. The latest study shows that giving post-menopausal women with bone loss daily melatonin causes small, but significant improvements in bone density. Details, including dosage, as well as our tests of melatonin supplements, are found in the Melatonin Supplements Review >>

3/31/2013

Low Dose of Vitamin K Helps Bone

Using a much lower dose of vitamin K than in previous studies, a new study found that intake of a particular form of vitamin K decreased age-related decline in bone mineral content and density in certain bones in postmenopausal women. Get the details, as well as our ratings of these supplements, in the updated Vitamin K Supplements Review >>

3/30/2021

Vitamin D & Healing Bones

Broke a bone? A recent case shows how important sufficient vitamin D can be to properly heal a fracture. See the Bones and Fractures section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among vitamin D supplements.

6/08/2017

How To Get Vitamin K From Food

Many of the benefits of vitamin K - such as proper blood clotting and calcium utilization for bone and heart health - are associated with getting adequate vitamin K from foods. The good news? Brand new research has found much higher amounts of vitamin K2 (the form associated with cardiovascular benefits) in dairy foods than previously known. However, the amounts vary tremendously depending on whether these foods are full-fat, or reduced-fat or fat-free. Get the details in the "Vitamin K from food" section of the Vitamin K Supplements Review. If you're interested in a vitamin K supplement, see our Top Picks among brands.

3/10/2023

Strontium for Bones?

Should I take a strontium supplement for my bones? See our answer about supplements for osteoporosis.

6/06/2023

Blueberries for Bones

The right amount of blueberries may help slow bone loss in postmenopausal women according to a new study. Get the details in our article about supplements and diets for osteoporosis.

3/29/2024

Vitamin D & Prostate Cancer-Related Bone Loss

Taking high-dose vitamin D during androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer may help some men prevent bone loss, according to a recent study. Get the details in the Prostate Cancer section of our Vitamin D Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for vitamin D.

4/24/2021

Vitamin D for Healing Fractures?

Does vitamin D supplementation improve healing of bone fractures in postmenopausal women? See what a new study found in the Bone and Fractures section of our Vitamin D Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D.

9/15/2020

Too Much Vitamin D Bad for Bone?

High doses of vitamin D may lead to loss of bone mineral density in women, according to a recent study. Get the details in the How Much Is Too Much section of our Vitamin D Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D.

9/16/2015

Soy Isoflavones Maintain Bone Calcium

A new study showed that soy isoflavones can reduce loss of calcium from bones in postmenopausal women. Certain formulations were more effective than others, although none was as effective as drug therapy. For details, see the Menopause Supplements Review >>

9/29/2013

When Vitamin D Doesn't Help

A recent study in postmenopausal women in New York showed that taking a vitamin D supplement did not reduce bone loss (based on measurements of markers of bone turnover). However, calcium supplementation did appear to help. Why? It all has to do with how much vitamin D and calcium the women were already getting without the supplements. You can find out the amounts and get more details in the update to the Vitamin D Supplements Review >>

9/27/2014

Risk of Bone Fracture Higher With Too Much and Too Little Vitamin D

A large study in elderly men identified a range of vitamin D blood levels associated with the lowest risk of experiencing a bone fracture. Risk nearly tripled among men with higher levels of vitamin D as well as among those with very low levels. For details, including the range of vitamin D associated with lowest risk of fracture, see the update in the Vitamin D Supplements Review >>  

10/09/2018

No Bone Benefit with Vitamin D -- Really?

You may have read that a recent analysis of 81 controlled studies concluded that "vitamin D supplementation does not prevent fractures or falls, or have meaningful benefits on bone mineral density." In general, this is true, but there are important caveats. Learn more in the What It Does section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D.)

12/11/2018

How Important Is Vitamin D for Bones?

Many women take vitamin D supplements to maintain bone mineral density, but does it really help? A new study provides an answer. See What It Does in the Vitamin D Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D).

11/14/2017

How Much Tea Is Safe?

Green and black teas contain fluoride, which helps build teeth and bones, but excessive intake of teas can cause teeth and bones to become brittle ("fluorosis"). How many cups of tea are safe? Find out now based on recent tests of fluoride in green, black, and herbal teas in the "Concerns and Cautions" section of the Green Tea Review >>

2/07/2018

Does Protein Hurt Bones?

It has been speculated that high-protein diets can result in calcium loss from bone. A recent study tested this. Get the results in the Concerns and Cautions section of the Protein Powders Review -- which also discusses a concern with dehydration. (If you use protein powders, see our Top Picks).

5/22/2018

Collagen for Ankle Pain and Sprains?

A new study investigated the effects of collagen supplementation on ankle stability, pain and sprains in athletes. Find out if it helped in the What It Does section of the Bone Broth Review (which includes information about collagen). (Also see how much collagen we found in popular bone broths, and our Top Picks among products).

1/17/2017

Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Bone Fracture Risk

A recent study found that higher consumption of extra virgin olive oil was associated with a 51% reduction in the risk of osteoporosis-related bone fractures. Get the details in the "What It Does" section of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review (which includes our tests of products) >>

2/25/2020

Vitamin D for Mom Affects Baby's Bones

Taking high-dose versus very-low-dose vitamin D during pregnancy led to greater bone density in offspring, according to a recent study. But, there are important caveats. Get the details in the What It Does section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D.

2/18/2020

Vitamin K for Bone Density?

Vitamin K (as MK-7) was given daily for one year to older men and women to see if it would improve bone mineral density. Some also received vitamin D and calcium. Find out if it helped, as well as the results of related studies, in the What It Does section of the Vitamin K Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among vitamin K supplements.

7/29/2022

Does Vitamin D Reduce Fracture Risk?

A new study indicates that high-dose vitamin D does not reduce the risk of bone fractures in older adults. Get the details in the What It Does section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review.

8/01/2023

Season Sardines

A CL member asked how Season sardines with bones compares to the Season boneless sardines that we tested. Find out.

Also see our Top Picks among sardines and for canned tuna, salmon, and herring.

7/11/2023

Does Collagen Affect Bone Tests?

Does collagen supplementation affect blood tests for osteoporosis? Find out in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Collagen Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among collagen supplements.

Also see: Which vitamins and supplements should be stopped before getting blood work and laboratory tests?

7/18/2024

Black Currant for Osteoporosis Prevention?

Does supplementing with black currant fruit extract improve bone mineral density in peri- and postmenopausal women? Find out what a recent study showed in our article about supplements and diets for osteoporosis.

3/15/2024

Back Pain & Vitamin D

Are low levels of vitamin D linked with increased risk of lower back pain? See what a recent study found in the Bones and fractures section of our Vitamin D Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D.

9/24/2021

Retinoid Cream Side Effects

Last week, we answered a reader's question about whether retinoid creams reduce bone density or increase fracture risk. They don’t. But they can cause other side effects, of which you should be aware. Details are in the Topical creams, gels, and serums section of our Vitamin A Supplements Review.

2/13/2021

Plant-Based Milk Caution

There may be negative effects for bones when switching to certain types of plant-based milks, according to a recent study. See the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Plant-Based Milks Review. Be sure to see our Top Picks among plant-based milks.

1/28/2020

When Magnesium Doesn't Seem to Help

Getting the recommended amount of magnesium has been associated with bone benefits. However, there was an increased risk of hip fracture among people who used a particular form of magnesium, according to a recent analysis. Get the details in the What It Does section of the Magnesium Supplements Review. Also see our Top Pick for magnesium.

10/22/2019

Should Women Take Calcium?

Do women reduce bone loss and the risk of fractures if they take a calcium supplement? See what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of the Calcium Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for calcium supplements.

3/16/2019

Colloidal Silver Concern

Long-term use of colloidal silver may have contributed to the development of bone marrow cancer, according to a new report. We've added details about this to our answer to the question: Is ingesting colloidal silver helpful for any condition and is it safe to use?

6/02/2013

Don't Drink Too Much Tea!

After publication of our Green Tea Review last month, a CL member emailed us about the potential danger of getting too much fluoride from tea. Although this won't happen from just a few cups of tea daily, there have been recent cases where habitually drinking extremely large amounts of tea has caused "fluorosis" causing bone pain and even tooth loss. See the warning (and our tests of green tea products) in the updated Green Tea Review >>

2/02/2011

Calcium and Vitamin D for Girls

In a recently published study, girls ages 9 to 13 were given, twice a day, a supplement with calcium and vitamin D. After 6 months, significant increases were found in bone density and strength compared to girls who received placebo. Get the amounts and types of calcium and vitamin D taken, as well as more information, in the Review of Calcium Supplements or the Review of Vitamin D Supplements.

10/06/2013

Vitamin D for Adolescents

A study found that vitamin D supplementation increased bone density in the hips of adolescent girls, but not of boys. Interestingly, a high dose appeared to have less effect than a low dose. For details, including dosage and our tests of vitamin D supplements, see the updated Vitamin D Supplements Review>>

9/01/2013

Calcium During Breast Cancer Treatment

A recent analysis of clinical studies concluded that supplementation with calcium and vitamin D during breast cancer treatment does not help maintain bone mineral density, although often given for this purpose. Calcium and vitamin D may certainly play other important roles. For more details, as well as test results and comparisons for 33 calcium supplements, see the updated Calcium Supplements Review >>

9/27/2016

Probiotic Speeds Recovery From Fracture

A probiotic increased the speed of recovery from bone fracture in older men and women. For details, including dosage, see the "What It Does" section of the Probiotics Supplements Review >>

4/08/2017

Exercise Benefit Lost With High-Dose Vitamins

Older men asked to perform resistance (strength) training for 12 weeks showed less gain in bone density if they were given high daily doses of vitamins C & E than if they were given a placebo. This is not the first time that  high-dose antioxidant supplements have been shown to reduce benefits from exercise. For details, see the "Concerns and Cautions" section of the Vitamin C Supplements Review >>