25 April 2011
Long-term supplementation with calcium may modestly increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, suggests a new study.
The new meta-analysis included data from 28,072 participants of 13 randomized controlled trials evaluating the intake of calcium supplements alone or in combination with vitamin D (1g calcium and 400 IU vitamin D daily) over a long time period in connection with the risk of cardiovascular events (1). The analysis results indicate that the increased intakes may modestly elevate the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, suggesting an unfavorable risk-to-benefit profile when comparing the benefits of calcium on fracture prevention with the risk of cardiovascular events: treating 1,000 patients with calcium or calcium plus
vitamin D for five years would cause an additional six myocardial infarctions or strokes and prevent only three fractures. The researchers speculate that increased serum calcium concentration due to long term treatment with supplements could increase the risk of vascular calcification.
Experts criticized that the meta-analysis’ methods, saying that they are flawed and point to many more studies touting the beneficial effects of calcium in bone health. As there is not enough evidence to confirm the association between calcium supplements and cardiovascular risk, further studies would need to be carried out to determine potential negative effects.
13 December 2019
Global experts on LC-PUFAs (long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids) and infant formula provide their position on the need to add at least as much ARA as DHA, in a new paper published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
18 March 2015
A new US study suggests that older women who eat foods with higher amounts of potassium may have a reduced stroke and death risk.
22 March 2013
A new study from New Zealand suggests that daily intakes of vitamin D3 are more effective than vitamin D2 in maintaining an adequate blood vitamin D concentration during the autumn and winter months.
