#8 Calcium and heart health
Despite the clear benefits of calcium (and vitamin D) for bone health, papers published in journals such as JAMA, Heart, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and the British Medical Journal have found significant adverse cardiovascular effects related to excessive calcium intake in different populations, leading to concerns, and even condemnation of calcium supplements by some. (The plaques that form in diseased arteries are composed mostly of calcium.)
On the flip side, a report from the Institute of Medicine concluded that “evidence from clinical trials currently does not support an effect of calcium intake on risk of cardiovascular disease”.
In addition, Harvard Medical School researchers reported in November 2012 no link between calcium supplements and an increased risk of artery calcification, according to analysis of data from the Framingham Offspring Study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
As more studies examining the relationship between the mineral and heart health continue to appear in the journals, we examined the literature and gathered insights from industry to form a more complete picture. To read our extensive article, please click here.