07.01.14
A new study published in the May issue of the peer-reviewed scientific journal, Osteoporosis International, found no independent associations between supplemental calcium intake and risk of incident coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. This prospective cohort study of 74,245 women in the Nurses’ Health Study, with 24 years of follow-up, counters studies from a research group in New Zealand that suggested calcium supplements may be associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
The authors noted, “In this large-scale, long-term prospective cohort study in women, calcium supplement use was inversely associated with the risk of CHD. Our findings do not support an increased risk of CVD with calcium supplement use in women.”
In addition, the study findings actually suggested that calcium supplements are associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. The researchers identified some potential limitations around this finding and advised more research would be needed to confirm it.
The authors noted, “In this large-scale, long-term prospective cohort study in women, calcium supplement use was inversely associated with the risk of CHD. Our findings do not support an increased risk of CVD with calcium supplement use in women.”
In addition, the study findings actually suggested that calcium supplements are associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. The researchers identified some potential limitations around this finding and advised more research would be needed to confirm it.
