Calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone structural properties in peripubertal female identical twins

A randomised controlled trial was used in assessing the impact of 6 months of daily calcium and vitamin-D supplementation on trabecular and cortical bone acquisition at distal tibial and radial sites using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Daily supplementation was associated with increased bone density and bone strength at the distal tibia and radius. Twenty pairs of peripubertal female identical twins, aged 9 to 13 years, were randomly assigned to receive either 800 mg of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D3, or a matched placebo. Bone structural properties at the distal tibia and distal radius were acquired at baseline and 6 months. pQCT data for all three stages of the trial. Data can be exported to SPSS or MS Excel. Statistical analyses available in SPSS format. The Australian Twin Registry arranged contact with the twins. USANA supplied the supplements.