A review of two studies suggests that consuming more calcium does not provide extra protection against bone aging.
The National Institutes of Health recommends at least 1,000 to 1,300 milligrams of calcium per day between ages 4 to 50. Our bodies need calcium to build and maintain strong bones. The heart, muscles and nerves also need it as protection against cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. Low calcium intake increases one's risk of osteoporosis, a condition that makes the bones brittle and fragile. Calcium can be found in dairy products, dark green leafy vegetables and fish, as well as calcium-fortified products and supplements.
Calcium supplements are recommended by doctors to older people, but the new study found that increasing calcium intake would not improve bone health or prevent fractures.
The researchers from the University of Auckland looked at two studies involving middle-aged men and women. Their analysis showed that consuming extra calcium is linked to up to two percent increase on bone mineral density, but is not significant enough to prevent fracture.
"Collectively, these results suggest that clinicians, advocacy organizations and health policymakers should not recommend increasing calcium intake for fracture prevention, either by use of calcium supplements or dietary sources," said Mark Bolland, study lead author and associate professor of medicine for the University of Auckland, in a university news release. "For most patients who are concerned about their bone health, they do not need to worry about their calcium intake."
The team concluded that there is no added benefit to consuming extra calcium. Those who were taking calcium supplements often complained of minor gastrointestinal side effects such as constipation, kidney stones, heart attacks and high calcium levels.
"The small risk of these important adverse effects, together with the moderate risk of minor side effects such as constipation, outweighs any benefits of calcium supplements on fracture," Bolland told HealthDay News.
The study was published in the Sept. 30 issue of the British Medical Journal.
