| Calcium and vitamin D supplementation has always been the basic strategy of clinical guidelines for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis from global authoritative academic institutions. Recently, however, several studies had different views on the benefits of excessive calcium and vitamin D supplementation on healthy bones, thus conflicted with the internationally recognized basic strategy for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and confused clinicians. Therefore, we reviewed the clinical guidelines of authoritative academic institutions in China, USA, Canada, UK, Poland, Japan and Korea, and highlighted that the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kb (RANK)，its ligand RANKL, and a decoy receptor, osteoprotegerin (OPG) have emerged as major local regulators of bone remodeling in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of osteoporosis. We listed the recommended calcium and vitamin D intakes for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and summarized that both calcium and vitamin D supplementation are beneficial in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures. The controversy of calcium and vitamin D supplementation for healthy bones was analyzed，and in general healthy people taking calcium supplements should not exceed 1000 mg daily. Based especially on calcium intake, serum lipid levels, BMI and vitamin D nutritional status in Asians (Chinese，Japanese and Korean), referencing to Chinese, Japanese and Korean clinical guidelines on calcium and vitamin D supplementation for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, it is suggested calcium and vitamin D supplementation as calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 supplements (calcium 500 - 600 mg and vitamin D3 200 IU daily) are suitable for the prevention of osteoporosis in the Chinese population. If you need to add more calcium and vitamin D supplementation, you must divide them into multiple doses. These information are provided to Chinese clinicians for reference and clinical application. |