High calcium intakes in women

High calcium intakes in women

Another study suggests that calcium supplementation may lead to excess all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease in otherwise healthy women. Researchers studied more than 61,000 Swedish women for 19 years. Diet and calcium intake, including calcium supplementation, were assessed with the primary outcome being death from all causes and cause-specific cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, and stroke. Higher dietary intake of calcium (> 1400 mg/day) was associated with a higher death rate from all causes compared to intake between 600-1000 mg/day (hazard ratio [HR], 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-1.67). Higher calcium intake was also linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease (HR, 1.49; CI, 1.09-2.02) and ischemic heart disease (HR, 2.14; CI, 1.48-3.09). There was no higher risk of stroke. Intake of calcium in tablet form > 1400 mg/day was associated with 2.5 times greater risk of death from all causes (HR, 2.57; CI, 1.19-5.55). The authors conclude that higher intakes of calcium in women are associated with higher death rates from all causes as well as increased rates of cardiovascular disease but not stroke (BMJ published online Feb. 13, 2013. DOI: org/10.1136/bmj.f228). Previous studies have focused more on stroke risk associated with calcium showing mixed results. This well-done study, along with previously published data from the Women’s Health Initiative, provides ample evidence to rethink calcium supplementation for the 60% of middle-aged and older American women who are regular users of calcium supplements. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force came to the same conclusion (even before this study was published) with publication of updated guidelines in February stating that "current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of the benefits and harms of combined vitamin D and calcium supplements for the primary prevention of fractures in postmenopausal women or men." They further state there is no evidence to support use of more than 1000 mg of calcium and 400 mcg of vitamin D per day and recommends against using doses lower than 1000 mg of calcium and 400 mcg of vitamin D. Their rationale is that supplementation does not reduce fracture risk but does increase the risk of renal stones in otherwise healthy women. This does not apply to women with osteoporosis or vitamin D deficiency (Ann Intern Med, published online Feb. 26, 2013).