18 August 2014
According to a new review current evidence does not support the hypothesis that calcium supplements increase the risk for post-menopausal women to develop heart disease.
The meta-analysis included the results of 18 randomized controlled trials which investigated a potential relationship between calcium intakes and cases of cardiovascular disease and death among 63,563 post-menopausal women (1). The study results showed that calcium supplementation with or without vitamin D did not increase the risk for coronary heart disease or all-cause mortality in the participants.
The researchers commented that the analysis reaffirms the safety of calcium for heart health. As calcium is the main structural constituent of arterial plaques, the hypothesis was built that long-term use of calcium supplements, especially by elderly women who want to counteract the loss of bone mass, may increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Some observational studies reported about an increased risk for post-menopausal women who took more than 1200 mg of calcium a day for years (2, 3). However, there is no mechanistic evidence that shows why calcium from supplements would contribute to arterial plaques, the scientists noted.
1 May 2013
There is a substantial scientific evidence base to support important roles of omega-3 fatty acids in growth and development, in lowering the risk of many chronic human diseases and in contributing to the therapeutic regimen of those with advanced diseases or those requiring nutrition support.
29 September 2017
Stewart Forsyth, professor of pediatrics at the University of Dundee, discusses DHA omega-3 and ARA omega-6 levels in infants around the world.
30 January 2015
A supplementation of Alzheimer patients with vitamin E, B vitamins and amino acids seems to improve their cognitive performance and mood reports a new US study.
