Don't you just wish researchers would confer!

From the ABC

Calcium supplements fail to prevent fractures: study

A healthy lifestyle and eating more fruit and vegetables could be better for preventing bone fractures than taking calcium supplements.

Researchers from the University of Tasmania's Menzies Research Institute have compared 19 international studies on calcium supplements for children and their effects on bone density.

They have found the wrist is the only area where supplements improved bone density, but not sufficiently to reduce the risk of fractures either in childhood or as an adult.

The study shows supplements have no impact on the common adult fracture zones of the hip and spine.

The study's spokeswoman, Tania Winzenberg, says more research needs to be done on whether more fruit and vegetables or vitamin D supplements could improve bone density in children.

"Maybe we should be starting to look at things like vitamin D supplementation in children or looking at the effect of increasing fruit and vegetable intake in children on bone health," she said.

Dr Winzenberg says in the meantime, having a healthy lifestyle is the best advice.

"Still maintain adequate calcium and a balanced diet, still maintain adequate physical activity and for bones, particularly weight-bearing physical activity, things like walking, jogging and playing sport, and avoid smoking," she said.

The research has been published in the British Medical Journal.