A new study carried out by the US Navy with 5, 201 female recruits, has found that adding a daily supplement of vitamin D and calcium reduced the incidence of stress fractures within 8 weeks.

The researchers were surprised that results happened so quickly. But this is good news for those who exercise regularly, and those in athletic training. And this is particularly valid for women in those groups, as the navy noted that female new recruits usually suffer a greater percentage of stress fractures as a group, compared to men.

The recruits were given 2000mg of calcium, and 800 IU of vitamin D. It was a double blind trial, so some of them were given a placebo. These amounts were greater than the recommended daily amounts of calcium and vitamin D in both the US and the EU, but within the tolerable upper limit for each.

Calcium and vitamin D appear to work together synergistically, which is true of a lot of herbal and vitamin combinations. They have been well studied in relation to older men and women, where they are known to reduce stress fractures. They are particularly recommended for those in this group who suffer from osteoporosis, or are at risk of doing so.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Calcium itself is involved in bone repair and formation, as well muscle contraction, nerve function, blood clotting, wound healing, the regulation of blood pressure and the release of neurotransmitters, cellular maintenance, gum health, fat metabolism, and the prevention of heart disease (with magnesium).

References: http://www.naturalways.com/calciumResearch.htm