Does calcium intake affect cardiovascular risk factors and/or events?
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to examine the relationship between calcium intake (from dietary sources like dairy and supplements) and its effects on cardiovascular risk factors and events.
Results Summary
The study found that a high intake of milk and dairy products is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk, while supplemental calcium may increase the risk of cardiovascular events. The potential mechanisms of calcium's effects on body fat and other risk factors like insulin resistance and hypertension were discussed but not fully understood.
Population
Not specified (general population inferred).
Effective Dosage
Not specified.
Duration
Not specified.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
calcium-rich diet | decrease | body weight | - | - | could help to control | #1 |
calcium-rich diet | decrease | body fat | - | - | anti-obesity effects | #2 |
calcium-rich diet | decrease | insulin resistance | - | - | could have beneficial effects on | #3 |
calcium-rich diet | decrease | dyslipidemia | - | - | could have beneficial effects on | #4 |
calcium-rich diet | decrease | hypertension | - | - | could have beneficial effects on | #5 |
calcium-rich diet | decrease | inflammatory states | - | - | could have beneficial effects on | #6 |
high intake of milk and/or dairy products | decrease | relative risk of cardiovascular disease | - | - | is associated with a reduction in | #7 |
supplemental calcium (mainly calcium carbonate or citrate) | increase | cardiovascular events | - | - | may be associated with an increased risk of | #8 |
Dietary intervention is an important approach in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Over the last decade, some studies have suggested that a calcium-rich diet could help to control body weight, with anti-obesity effects. The potential mechanism underlying the impact of calcium on body fat has been investigated, but it is not fully understood. Recent evidence has also suggested that a calcium-rich diet could have beneficial effects on other cardiovascular risk factors, such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension and inflammatory states. In a series of studies, it was observed that a high intake of milk and/or dairy products (the main sources of dietary calcium) is associated with a reduction in the relative risk of cardiovascular disease. However, a few studies suggest that supplemental calcium (mainly calcium carbonate or citrate) may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. This review will discuss the available evidence regarding the relationship between calcium intake (dietary and supplemental) and different cardiovascular risk factors and/or events.