Comparative Analysis of Dietary and Supplemental Intake of Calcium and Vitamin D among Canadian Older Adults with Heart Disease and/or Osteoporosis in 2004 and 2015

Despite the role of calcium and vitamin D in osteoporosis and heart disease, little research has examined changes in the intake of calcium and vitamin D among individuals with these conditions over time. Using data from the 2004 and 2015 Canadian Community Health Surveys, we investigated changes in dietary and supplemental intake of calcium and vitamin D among Canadian older adults aged ≥ 50 years, both with and without heart disease and/or osteoporosis, between 2004 and 2015. Notable declines in dietary calcium intake occurred, particularly among non-supplement users. Surprisingly, individuals with osteoporosis and heart disease, who are at higher nutritional risk, were less likely to use calcium supplements in 2015 compared to 2004. Among calcium supplement users, those with osteoporosis or both conditions experienced significant reductions in their usual calcium intake in 2015, with an increased proportion failing to meet recommended intake levels. Conversely, vitamin D supplement users experienced a substantial rise in vitamin D intake in 2015. In 2015, only a small proportion of supplement users did not meet the recommended vitamin D intake levels. These findings underscore the importance of public health initiatives to facilitate safe increases in calcium and vitamin D intake for older adults, particularly those with heart disease and osteoporosis.