Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have written a succinct review.

Let’s cut to the chase.

Risk of heart attack

• A meta-analysis suggests that calcium supplementation without coadministration of vitamin D is associated with an increased incidence of heart attack.
• More studies evaluating the cardiovascular effects of calcium supplementation, with and without vitamin D, are needed.

Benefits for bone loss.

• A meta-analysis revealed that the benefit of calcium on fractures is minimal — about a 10% risk reduction in all fractures.
• Patients with significant fracture risk should take medications with proven efficacy.
  • But it’s too soon to abolish calcium supplementation.

Benefits for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women

• Patients are still encouraged to consume adequate calcium.
• Calcium supplements should be recommended only to patients who consume insufficient calcium from dietary sources.

The bottom line?

Here what to remember about calcium treatment.

• Prior to initiating calcium supplementation, a healthcare team should estimate daily calcium intake.
• Calcium supplements do not apply to calcium-rich foods.
• There are no reported cases of calcium intoxication from dietary calcium sources.
• Because the calcium in food has a much smaller effect on blood levels of calcium, it’s preferred to supplements.
• Lactose-intolerant patients and those on a strict vegetarian diet should be encouraged to obtain calcium from nondairy or calcium-fortified products.

3/14/11 20:24 JR