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Calcium Supplements and the Heart: Clearing Up the Confusion |
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Calcium Supplements and the Heart: Clearing Up the Confusion
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Darrell Miller | 11/26/16 |
Date:
November 26, 2016 12:59 PM
Author: Darrell Miller
(support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Calcium Supplements and the Heart: Clearing Up the Confusion
The Institute of Medicine has recommended 1000-1200 mg of calcium daily for most adults, and the tolerable upper intake level has been set at 2000-2500 mg of calcium daily. Even a recent observational study from the MESA cohort suggested an association between calcium supplements and coronary artery calcium, but it is important to note that in observational studies, the association does not prove causation. In the large-scale Women's Health Initiative calcium and vitamin D trial, we found no association between calcium and vitamin D supplementation and coronary artery calcium measured at the end of the 7-year trial.
Key Takeaways:
- We know that both calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health, but concerns have been raised from selected reports in recent years about heart risk.
- There are other reasons that there could be an association, such as overlapping risk factors for osteoporosis and heart disease, including smoking and lack of exercise.
- There are many dietary sources of calcium, including dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese), fatty fish with bones (such as sardines), fortified beverages, and leafy greens.
"We know that both calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health, but concerns have been raised from selected reports in recent years about heart risk."
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