Calcium supplements are not associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in women, large study reports

Taking calcium supplements does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in women, says research in Osteoporosis International.
Calcium supplements are taken by many women for bone health but some previous research has suggested that the supplements may increase risk of cardiovascular disease. Data has been inconsistent but this large study of 74,245 women found that the risk was negligible.
The women involved in the research did not have cardiovascular disease or cancer at the start of the study. They were followed for 24 years and number of heart attacks and strokes were recorded. Calcium supplement intake was assessed every four years.
At the start of the study, women who took calcium supplements had higher levels of physical activity, smoked less and had lower transfat intake compared to women who did not take calcium supplements. During the 24 years of follow-up, there were 2,709 heart attacks and 1,856 strokes.
The experts took into account age, body mass index, dietary calcium, vitamin D there was no increased risk of cardiovascular disease for women taking calcium supplements.
“Our findings do not support the hypothesis that calcium supplement intake increases cardiovascular disease risk in women,” the research team concludes.
Click here to read the original research.