Vitamin D and Calcium Not Recommended for Certain Women

iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- The government is telling healthy postmenopausal women to skip daily doses of vitamin D and calcium.

According to the United States Preventive Services Task Force, these supplements taken in low doses to prevent bone fractures won't do older women any good if they're already in good health.

In fact, the task force says 400 international units or less of vitamin D and 1,000 milligrams or less of calcium "could increase the likelihood of kidney stones," a painful condition affecting the urinary tract.

However, low doses of vitamin D and calcium are still okay for people with osteoporosis, a bone disease leading to increased risk of fracture, or vitamin D deficiencies.

The task force did not have any conclusive evidence of what benefits or disadvantages these supplements might have for men and premenopausal women.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

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