Calcium supplementation not linked to increased risk of heart disease or stroke
Calcium supplements are usually taken to treat or prevent bone disease, such as osteoporosis. Studies in the past found that calcium supplements increased the risk of heart disease, particularly in healthy, postmenopausal women. But other studies have said calcium supplements don't increase the risk.
Calcium supplementation is not associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases or stroke, finds a recent study conducted by Dr Ming Gin Sim and associates. The study has been published in Heart Lung and Circulation.
In this study, data was collected and Pooled from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (inception to August 6 2021). RCTs focused on the relationship between calcium supplementation and cardiovascular disease or stroke incidence. Based on the PICO criteria, articles were screened independently by two authors. The third author resolved the disagreement.
Previous data collected from some observational studies and RCTs highlight an association between calcium supplementation and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The findings of earlier meta-analyses and observational studies report contradictory results. Considering this background, researchers, through this meta-analysis, determined the difference in associated risks of calcium supplementation with cardiovascular disease and stroke in RCTs.
They included twelve RCTs in the meta-analysis. Calcium supplementation was not associated with myocardial infarction, total stroke, heart failure admission, or all-cause/cardiovascular mortality. The findings did not affect subgroup analysis focusing on calcium monotherapy/calcium co-therapy with vitamin D, female sex, follow-up duration, and geographical region.
Concluding further, researchers mentioned that Calcium supplementation is not associated with MI, total stroke, heart failure admission, and cardiovascular/all-cause mortality.
Following the intake of calcium supplements, there is an acute rise in serum calcium levels which is major concern among the researchers. Calcium intake from dietary sources does not seem to increase cardiovascular risk, while calcium supplements might raise CHD risk.
Further investigations are warranted to examine and understand these associations.
Reference:
Ming Gin Sim et al. Association Between Calcium Supplementation and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Published: September 22, 2023 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlc.2023.07.008
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