In 2010 the Institute of Medicine concluded that calcium and vitamin D have a key role in which outcome?

• A. Cancer outcomes
• B. Skeletal health
• C. Cardiovascular disease outcomes
• D. All of the above

Answer: (B)

Calcium and vitamin D are essential for building and maintaining bone. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, and together they support bone mineralization and reduce fracture risk across the life span. In the 2010 Institute of Medicine report, the strongest and most consistent evidence was for skeletal health, leading to recommended intakes designed to support bone mass and prevent osteoporotic fractures. For cancer or cardiovascular disease outcomes, the report concluded there wasn’t enough evidence to claim a key role. So the outcome most clearly supported by the IOM in that year is skeletal health.