New research published in the British Medical Journal indicates men and women over 40 who take calcium supplements increase their risk of heart attack by 30%, compared to people who don’t take the supplements. The study points out that often, people take calcium supplements hoping that this will reduce their risk of breaking bones, even though in actual fact, taking more calcium only reduces bone fractures by a marginal amount. Baron and coauthors caution that the benefit of reducing bone fracture risk by taking calcium supplements may be outweighed by the likelihood of increasing heart attacks.
The study is being hotly contested by many supplement manufacturers. One person who says it’s a predictable result is Dr. Ron Rosedale, who has been speaking out against calcium supplements for years. Dr. Rosedale points out that often, people who have “thin bones” have high amounts of calcium plaque in their blood vessels, a condition which is well-documented for increasing the chance of heart attacks. People with thin bones also can have calcium deposits in their joints . . . for instance, with arthritis. Dr. Rosedale says that when people have osteoporosis, it’s generally not the case that they need more calcium. Instead, they need clearer signaling instructions in their body, so the calcium goes where it’s needed, not stuck in places that cause trouble. For more, here’s Dr. Rosedale.
Listen to Ron Rosedale Interview – Short Version (7 Minutes, Broadcast on KGNU)
2 comments for “Death by Calcium?”