August 6, 2010 – Taking calcium supplements is now not recommended by the British Medical Journal1. The scientific journal recently published a study2 indicating that calcium supplements may increase the risk of myocardial infarction by 30%.
The study, which lists 11 clinical trials, was carried out on 12,000 people over the age of 40, who absorbed 500 mg of calcium or a placebo every day for three and a half years.
“The study goes against the grain in the field of research, since it does not take into account vitamin D”, underlines the pharmacist Jean-Yves Dionne, expert in natural products. “It’s already well established that calcium supplements alone are often useless and must be combined with vitamin D or K to be effective,” he continues.
The fact that an association between calcium supplements and the risk of heart attack has been shown, however, is “logical”, he adds, since many heart problems result from calcification of blood vessels.
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Calcium and vitamin D Health Canada recommends a daily intake of 1000 to 1200 mg of calcium. As for vitamin D, Osteoporosis Canada recently suggested that Health Canada double the recommended daily intake to 800 international units (IU). |
The pharmacist, however, urges caution. “This study should be evaluated with caution. It may be far-fetched, it may be well founded. Only other studies will be able to determine it. For the moment, it is not the time to throw everything in the trash! But if you are taking calcium supplements without any other supplement, then think again. “
Like the authors of the research, Jean-Yves Dionne believes that a reassessment with his doctor is in order. This is to make sure that supplements are needed and, if so, to determine their dosage. Several studies have proven that calcium, combined with vitamin D, slows down bone loss and can prevent fractures in the elderly.
Calcium: is food enough?
Is a healthy, balanced diet alone enough for good bone health? “If a patient has no risk factor related to osteoporosis or any symptoms of calcium deficiency, food is sufficient,” says the pharmacist.
These comments are shared by Marise Charron, nutritionist and president of Groupe Harmonie Santé. “We should not immediately suggest taking supplements, unless the person has significant risk factors or suffers from excess weight, which prevents him from consuming certain products”, she explains.
Three to four servings of calcium-rich products normally meet nutritional needs depending on age and gender, underlines Marise Charron. These can include milk, yogurt, cheese, sesame seeds, broccoli, and fish with bones, like sardines.
“We must not forget the exercise. It has been proven to help prevent osteoporosis and the risk of fractures, ”she adds.
Louis Gagné – PasseportSanté.net
1. Cleland JG, Witte K, Steel S, Editorial: Calcium supplements in people with osteoporosis, BMJ. 2010 Jul 29; 341: c3691. Full text: www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/341/jul29 [consulté le 5 août 2010].
2. Bolland MJ, Avenell A and al. Effect of calcium supplements on risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular events: meta-analysis, BMJ. 2010 Jul 29; 341: c3691.
