Chronic low calcium intake impairs bone mineralization and may contribute to lower bone mineral density and increased fracture risk, especially when combined with low vitamin D. This medication is commonly used for Inflammation.
Systematic reviews indicate that increasing calcium intake yields only modest BMD gains and limited fracture risk reduction by itself, but combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation has shown benefits in specific high-risk groups such as postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
Tai V et al. Calcium intake and bone mineral density: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2015;351:h4183.; Liu Y et al. The effect of calcium supplementation in people under 35 on bone mass: a systematic review and meta-analysis. eLife. 2022;11:e79002.; Cong B, Zhang H. Effects of combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone mineral density and fracture risk in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2025;26:9089.
Some side effects may be linked to nutrient depletion caused by this medication.
Research has found that corticosteroids increased chromium excretion in patients after just three days. Chromium is an essential mineral that helps regulate blood sugar levels. This is important because corticosteroids themselves can raise blood sugar, contributing to diabetes. Evidence suggests that chromium supplementation improved fasting blood glucose levels in patients with steroid-induced diabetes.
Corticosteroids can lower calcium levels in the body. This is a double threat to bone health because corticosteroids themselves can weaken bones. Calcium is essential for strong bones, and a study showed that supplementing with both calcium and vitamin D3 helped prevent bone loss in people with rheumatoid arthritis taking corticosteroids. Supplementation with calcium should be considered during long term corticosteroid therapy.