Was there sufficient evidence in the 2010 IOM review to support a cause-and-effect relationship between calcium and vitamin D and extraskeletal outcomes (cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and autoimmune disorders)?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Yes for some extraskeletal outcomes
• D. Unknown

Answer: (B)

The main idea is about whether there is a proven cause-and-effect link between calcium and vitamin D supplementation and health outcomes outside bones. In the 2010 IOM review, the panel looked at extraskeletal outcomes such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. They found that the existing evidence did not reach the level needed to claim a causal relationship. Randomized trials and observational studies produced inconsistent results, with many studies showing no clear benefit and observational data being prone to confounding and bias. Because of these limitations, the review could not establish that calcium and vitamin D cause changes in these outcomes. So, there was not sufficient evidence to support a cause-and-effect relationship.