Calcium supplementation linked to reduced mortality risk over a

Calcium supplementation linked to reduced mortality risk over a decade among women

Tuesday, May 28, 2013. In an article scheduled for publication in the July, 2013 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Canadian researchers report a reduction in the risk of dying over a ten year average period among women who used calcium supplements.

The current investigation utilized data from 6,287 women and 2,746 men who participated in the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study, which enrolled 9,423 men and women aged 25 and older from 1995 to 1997. Questionnaires administered upon enrollment provided information concerning intake of calcium and vitamin D from food and supplements.

One thousand one hundred-sixty deaths occurred over follow-up, which ended in 2007. Each 500 mg increase in total calcium intake was associated with a 5% reduction in the risk of dying from any cause during the follow-up period among women, but not men. Similarly, women who reported using calcium supplements had a 22% lower risk of dying than those who didn't use them. For women who used calcium supplements alone, the risk of premature mortality was 21% lower and for those who combined calcium and vitamin D, the risk was 23% lower in comparison with those who used neither supplements.

"Our study found daily use of calcium supplements was associated with a lower risk of death among women," lead author David Goltzman, MD of McGill University stated. "Higher amounts of calcium were potentially linked to longer life spans in women, regardless of the source of the calcium."

In their discussion of possible mechanisms to explain the finding, Dr Goltzman and his associates remarked that calcium supplementation has been linked with improved lipids and a reduction in the risk of hypertension. Additionally, calcium supplements protect against secondary hyperparathyroidism and high serum parathyroid hormone, which can increase bone loss and blood vessel calcification, thereby elevating the risk of premature mortality. By binding fatty acids in the colon and inhibiting epithelial proliferation, calcium may also help prevent colorectal polyps, some of which may become cancerous. In light of recently publicized cautions concerning a possible lack of benefit or increased adverse risks in association with calcium supplementation, the authors write, "If calcium and vitamin D supplementation are indeed required to ensure adequate intake levels for bone health then our study provides assurance that, in community-dwelling individuals, there is no increased mortality associated with ingestion of modest amounts of supplemental calcium and vitamin D and that there may in fact be a mortality benefit."

"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," they conclude.

http://www.lef.org/newsletter/2013/0528_Calcium-Supplementation-Linked-To-Reduced-Mortality-Risk-Over-A-Decade-Among-Women.htm?utm_source=eNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Article&utm_content=Button&utm_campaign=2013Wk22-1&l=0#article