So I heard a little blurb on the radio a month or so ago about negative side effects related to calcium supplements. After some digging, I was able to find the article I think may have been referenced for the news story.
According to the article on The Daily Mail.com, a British online news mag, women who supplement calcium intake with supplements could be facing a 30% higher risk of heart disease. The information comes from a study published by the British Medical Journal which looked at women consuming 500 mg or more of calcium supplements a day compared to those not taking them. The results, as mentioned, found these women were at a higher risk for heart attack due to the fact the calcium, when in supplement form, increases levels of calcium in the blood. This has a hardening effect on the arteries, which in turn leads to a higher heart attack risk. Calcium supplements artificially increase calcium in the blood and keeps them elevated for longer, whereas calcium from a dietary source does not, which explains why those consuming high levels of dietary calcium were not at risk.
The study DID exclude those also consuming Vitamin D supplements, which helps absorb calcium.
As one reader commented "The jury is still out on this one", which is very true. Calcium supplements for those suffering from osteoporosis or other degenerative bone conditions who are on supplements through a doctors order should of course continue to take them as prescribed. However, the BEST (and possibly safer) source of calcium is always through the diet by consuming dairy (milk and cheese products ) and dark, leafy green veggies. Over supplementing is generally not a good idea.
I believe I found the study here, if you would like to read it for yourself.
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