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A review of calcium supplements and cardiovascular disease risk.

Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)
January 1, 1970
Robert P Heaney et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the potential association between calcium supplement use and cardiovascular event risk, focusing on causal inference criteria.

Results Summary

The study found mixed evidence regarding calcium supplements and cardiovascular risk, with some studies suggesting a small increased risk but others showing no detrimental effects. The authors concluded that current evidence is insufficient to change recommendations for calcium supplementation.

Population

Primarily women (based on Women's Health Initiative subgroup analysis) and general populations from epidemiological studies.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (4)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
calcium supplement use
increase
adverse cardiovascular events
-
small increase
prompted concern about a potential association with a small increase in the risk
#1
calcium from diet or supplements, with or without vitamin D
no change
cardiovascular disease risk
-
no detrimental effect
suggest no detrimental effect
#2
calcium supplement use
neutral
adverse cardiovascular outcomes
-
-
little evidence exists for plausible biological mechanisms to link with
#3
supplements
increase
optimal bone health
individuals who do not obtain recommended intakes of calcium through dietary sources
-
advocate use to promote optimal bone health
#4
Abstract

A group of academic and industry experts in the fields of nutrition, cardiology, epidemiology, food science, bone health, and integrative medicine examined the data on the relationship between calcium supplement use and risk of cardiovascular events, with an emphasis on 4 of the Bradford Hill criteria for causal inference: strength, consistency, dose-response, and biological plausibility. Results from 2 epidemiological studies and a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials, including a subgroup analysis from the Women's Health Initiative, have prompted concern about a potential association between calcium supplement use and a small increase in the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. However, a number of issues with the studies, such as inadequate compliance with the intervention, use of nontrial calcium supplements, potential bias in event ascertainment, and lack of information on and adjustment for known cardiovascular risk determinants, suggest that bias and confounding cannot be excluded as explanations for the reported associations. Findings from other cohort studies also suggest no detrimental effect of calcium from diet or supplements, with or without vitamin D, on cardiovascular disease risk. In addition, little evidence exists for plausible biological mechanisms to link calcium supplement use with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The authors do not believe that the evidence presented to date regarding the hypothesized relationship between calcium supplement use and increased cardiovascular disease risk is sufficient to warrant a change in the Institute of Medicine recommendations, which advocate use of supplements to promote optimal bone health in individuals who do not obtain recommended intakes of calcium through dietary sources.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Bone Density Conservation AgentsCalciumCalcium, DietaryCardiovascular DiseasesDietary SupplementsHumansResearch DesignRisk Factors
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety75
Efficacy65/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations51
Citations/Year3.9
Relative Citation Ratio1.79
NIH Percentile71%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score1.86
Normalized Score0.72
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A review of calcium supplements and cardiovascular disease r... | Panacea Index