The bottom line on calcium supplements
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
