Wednesday June 25, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA, USA conducted a study and found evidence suggesting that taking calcium supplements does not increase risk of cardiovascular disease in women.

Some studies have early suggested that calcium supplementation may boost risk of cardiovascular disease.  Calcium supplements are commonly used to prevent osteoporosis in older women.

The current study was based on data from 74,245 women in the Nurses' Health Study who were free of cancer and cardiovascular disease at baseline.  During the follow-up, calcium supplement intake was estimated every four years.

During the 24-year follow up, researchers did not find any independent associations between supplemental calcium intake and an increased risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. 

At baseline, women who took calcium supplements were more physically active, smoked less and had lower intake of trans fat, compared with those who did not take calcium supplements.

After adjustment for age, body mass index, dietary calcium intake, vitamin D intake, and other cardiovascular disease risk factors, the risk of cardiovascular disease for women taking 1 gram of calcium or more per day were 18% reduced, compared with those who did not take the supplement.

After adjustment for cardiovascular disease risk factors, the risk for coronary heart disease for those taking calcium supplements was 29% reduced, compared with those taking no calcium supplements.  Calcium supplements were not associated with risk of stroke.

The study concluded "Our findings do not support the hypothesis that calcium supplement intake increases CVD (cardiovascular disease) risk in women."  (david Liu, PHD)

Paik JM, Curhan GC, Sun Q, Rexrode KM, Manson JE, Rimm EB, Taylor EN.   Calcium supplement intake and risk of cardiovascular disease in women.  Osteoporos Int. 2014 May 7.