Calcium potentiates the effect of estrogen and calcitonin and bone mass: review and analysis. JW Nieves, Helen Hayes Hospital, West Haverstraw, NY 10993, email: [email protected]; with accompanying Editorial: Osteoporosis treatment and the calcium requirement. B. Dawson-Hughes, USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Boston MA 02111.

Osteoporosis (lack of bone calcium) with risk of serious bone fracture afflicts one fifth of all postmenopausal white women in the United States. This review of 20 published trials shows that bone health is best preserved in postmenopausal women who use a combination of estrogen replacement and at least 1200 mg calcium daily, rather than either treatment alone.