22 Feb 2017 --- An increase in the use of calcium and vitamin D supplements could save nearly €4 billion ($4.2 billion) a year in healthcare costs by avoiding bone fractures caused by osteoporosis, according to a new independent analysis commissioned by Food Supplements Europe. The news puts vitamin D back in the spotlight, after recent recommendations were made for consumers to increase their intake to promote respiratory health.

Researchers from Frost & Sullivan examined the economic burden of addressing osteoporosis-attributed bone fractures among the 27.8 million over-55s in the EU with osteoporosis.

With 1.24 million related fractures occurring in the EU every year, they forecast that the total cost of dealing with these events will amount to €132 billion between 2016 and 2020 – €26.4 billion a year ($27.7 billion), or €21,231 per event, ($22,300)

Scientific research shows that daily supplementation with 1,000 mg of calcium and 15 µg (micrograms) of vitamin D results in a 15% reduction in the risk of osteoporosis-attributed fractures among those aged 55 or over with the disease.

As such, if all of these at-risk individuals were to consume calcium and vitamin D at this amount and regularity, there could be 186,690 fewer fractures every year with potential savings of €3.96 billion ($4.1 billion) per annum in avoidable healthcare costs.

Food Supplements Europe Chair Ingrid Atteryd said: “Over several decades, a significant amount of clinical research has been conducted showing that the daily use of calcium and vitamin D food supplements is highly correlated to a lower risk of experiencing an osteoporosis-attributed fracture.”

“This new analysis, for the first time, demonstrates that more widespread supplementation with these nutrients could also save many billions of euros in avoidable healthcare costs.”

“Educating target consumers to understand the benefits of calcium and vitamin D, through official advice at both EU and national level, and via healthcare professionals in the media, could deliver major benefits in both wellbeing and financial terms.”

The news adds to the publicity surrounding the importance of vitamin D supplementation, something that Lisa Sinclair, Head Of Vitamins, Herbals, Minerals and Supplements category at Holland and Barrett thinks has already had an impact on sales in the UK.

Speaking with NutritionInsight, she said: “We have seen a notable increase in Vitamin D sales in the UK, with sales growth being prompted by official guidance given to the UK Department of Health by Public Health England (PHE) that 10 micrograms of the vitamin are needed to help people keep healthy bones, teeth and muscle.”

“PHE’s advice, accepted by the UK Government, was based on recommendations from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) following its review of the evidence on vitamin D and health.”

“The more recent research showing a positive role for Vitamin D in preventing colds and flu, published in the British Medical Journal and covered extensively in the media, is likely to increase the number of people taking vitamin D regularly.”

The Effect of an Aging Population

The report found that 17.6% of the 157.6 million people aged 55 or over in the EU have osteoporosis, and are therefore considered to be at risk of sustaining a related fracture. European women aged 55 or over account for 80% of cases of osteoporosis.

“The EU’s population is aging, and without taking action the number of bone fractures attributed to osteoporosis will almost certainly rise,” said Ms Atteryd.

“As such, it has never been more important to leverage the substantiated benefits of calcium and vitamin D to help minimize the financial burden of this disease on healthcare systems across Europe.”

“In addition, quality of life would be improved for millions of people – a benefit that is priceless.”

Making Vit D as Accessible as Possible

With the many recent studies highlighting the need to supplement with Vitamin D in particular, Sinclair says that Holland and Barrett, “want to make it as accessible to our customers as possible.”

“To make this happen we have looked at various initiatives, for example, when the guidance was issued by the PHE last summer we offered a free bottle of vitamin D to all of our customers for a week and since then we’ve aimed to ensure our customers always have access to a selection of vitamin D products on promotion,” she says.

“In addition to this, we have just launched our own label vitamin D spray to ensure those who can’t take pills are still able to get their dose of vitamin D. Demand for vitamin D is likely to increase.”

by Hannah Gardiner

To contact the editor of this article, email hannah@cnsmedia.com