Dr. Jonathan Miller 3/21/23 Dr. Jonathan Miller 3/21/23

Calcium and vitamin D supplements do not increase bone density in premenopausal women

A Cochrane Review of seven randomized studies shows that calcium and vitamin D do not improve BMD (bone mineral density) in healthy premenopausal women and is unlikely to prevent fractures.

8/19/16 8/19/16

Calcium supplementation may increase risk for dementia

10/5/15 10/5/15

Increasing calcium intake does not prevent fractures

"Collectively, these results suggest that clinicians, advocacy organisations, and health policymakers should not recommend increasing calcium intake for fracture prevention, either with calcium supplements or through dietary sources."

4/17/15 4/17/15

Calcium supplementation may increase macular degeneration

Calcium supplementation has previously been associated with cardiovascular risk (search 'calcium' for earlier posts), most likely by opposing the anti-inflammatory activity of magnesium. A study just published in JAMA Ophthalmology offers evidence that calcium supplementation may similarly promote age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

7/24/14 7/24/14

Calcium supplementation and abnormal calcium in blood and urine

Calcium supplementation is often recommended without careful determination of individual need and tolerance. Conflicting studies have raised the suspicion of an increase in cardiovascular risk associated with calcium (which may occur when the anti-inflammatory effects of magnesium are opposed). A study just published in the journal Menopause offers evidence that for a significant percentage of women modest calcium supplementation produces abnormally high levels in blood (hypercalcemia) and urine (hypercalciuria).

8/12/13 8/12/13

Breast cancer risk doubles with calcium channel blockers for hypertension

Breast cancer risk assessment must take into consideration chronic inflammation, which comes to the fore in light of a study just published in JAMA Internal Medicine (formerly Archives of Internal Medicine) offering evidence that use use of calcium channel blockers double the risk for breast cancer.

2/15/13 2/15/13

More evidence supports restraint with calcium supplementation

An extensive study just published in BMJ (British Medical Journal) offers more evidence* that higher levels of calcium intake can increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease and all causes.