Calcium supplements for longer life?
|Published
London - Taking a calcium supplement of up to 1,000mg per day can help women live longer, say researchers.
A study shows a 22 per cent lower risk of dying over a ten-year period compared with those who are not taking supplements regularly.
The study is likely to reassure many who take supplements either prescribed by their doctor for osteoporosis – thinning bones – or bought over the counter as ‘bone insurance’.
Previously there have been fears that high-dose supplements could raise the risk of dying from heart disease.
But Canadian researchers behind the latest study are unequivocal in recommending extra calcium for women with low intakes. Lead author David Goltzman, of McGill University in Montreal, said: ‘Our study found daily use of calcium supplements was associated with a lower risk of death among women.
‘The benefit was seen for women who took doses of up to 1,000mg per day, regardless of whether the supplement contained vitamin D.’
The researchers analysed data from the large-scale Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study which monitored the health of 9,033 Canadians between 1995 and 2007. During that period, 1,160 participants died.
The findings show a 22 per cent reduction in risk of death for women using calcium supplements compared with non-users, but no statistical benefit for men. The study found no conclusive evidence that taking vitamin D had an impact on death rates.
There appeared to be no benefit from taking calcium at doses bigger than 1,000mg a day.
Dr Golzman said: ‘Higher amounts of calcium were potentially linked to longer lifespans in women, regardless of the source of the calcium.
‘That is, the same benefits were seen when the calcium came from dairy foods, non-dairy foods or supplements.
‘Our recommendation would be to assess dietary intake to meet calcium and vitamin D requirements for bone health and to consider supplementation as necessary to meet the requirements.’
The study, which is to be published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Meta-bolism, suggests several possible reasons for it promoting longer life.
Calcium supplements are linked to a better balance of blood fats, lower risk of high blood pressure, better bone metabolism and bowel health.
Health benefits may also be driven by eating more calcium within a healthy diet, including dairy products and fish.
There have been conflicting results from studies in recent years about the benefits and possible hazards of taking calcium supplements, especially more than 1,000mg a day.
Scientists believe mega doses of calcium circulating in the blood have a ‘flooding effect’ which may lead to hardening of the arteries and heart attacks.
In contrast, dietary calcium is taken in small amounts spread throughout the day, so is absorbed slowly.- Daily Mail