![]() ![]() Dietary sources of nutrients are the preferred option and pharmacological supplementation should only be targeted to those individuals who do not get sufficient calcium from their diet and who are at increased risk for OP. There is a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in the elderly and dietary calcium is low in many postmenopausal OP women, notwithstanding most data suggest that dietary intakes of key bone nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and proteins contribute to bone health and reduce the risk of Fx later in life. This high societal and personal burden poses challenges to public health and physicians. In 2012, the number of deaths causally related to OP Fx in the European union, was estimated at 43,000, of which 50 % were due to hip Fx, 28 % to clinical vertebral and 22 % to other Fx. All OP Fx but forearm are associated with increased mortality. ![]() In 2010, the direct costs of OP Fx in the five largest EU countries was evaluated at €29 billion and at €38.7 billion in the 27 countries. ![]() Collectively, all OP Fx account for 2.7 million Fx in men and women in Europe. Osteoporosis (OP) is defined as a systemic disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures (Fx). The recommendation to use dairy products as the preferred source of calcium and vitamin D in aging males and females is supported by public health and health economic analyses. This intervention is cost-effective from 70 years on in the general population and from 60 years on in patients at increased risk of osteoporotic fractures. In total, the daily intake of vitamin-D rich dairy products reduces by 30,376 and 16,105 events the number of osteoporotic fractures in women and men respectively and permits to gain 66 life-years, in women and men respectively. Annual costs of dairy products were tested at €150, €250 and €350. We designed a population-based model to forecast the potential health outcomes and medical effectiveness of the daily administration of dairy supplements containing 800 IU of vitamin D and 1 g of calcium in cohorts of subjects, from both genders, aged 50, 60, 70 and 80 years. Dietary sources of calcium and vitamin D are recommended as a first-line strategy in prevention of osteoporosis-related fractures but their public health and economic impact has never been studied. ![]()
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