According to a study “calcium supplements taken by older people to prevent the risk of osteoporosis, may increase the chances of heart attacks.”
The note was published in the British Medical Journal, adding that “people who ingest the mineral have a 30% more chances to suffer a heart attack.”
The research was conducted with 11 clinical trials, which suggested that ‘the drug is not as effective as was believed to prevent osteoporosis. “
They explain that “Calcium is a mineral that is found throughout the body, especially in bones and teeth, it is essential for nerve conduction, blood clotting and muscle contraction.”
Doctors had been suggesting to ‘postmenopausal women and men over 65 years the calcium intake, either through foods or supplements, to prevent the risk of osteoporosis, a decrease of calcium in the bones that weakens them’ but now, scientists who conducted the new study, recommended “a review of the use of calcium supplements to prevent osteoporosis.”
The National Osteoporosis Society of the United Kingdom stated that “most people should be able to eat the recommended levels of calcium through foods rather than taking mineral pills,” and that “those who have a diet rich in calcium won’t have the risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases.”
The trials were conducted with 12.000 people of more than 40 years old who took up to 500mg of the mineral daily.
And found that “The increased risk of heart attacks was the same in both women and men, regardless of age or type of supplement ingested.”
According to the health correspondent for the BBC, Emma Wilkinson, “the reason that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease is unclear, but is believed to have to do with excess of calcium circulating in the blood which could lead to hardening the arteries.”
Dr Alison Avenell, from the University of Aberdeen in the UK, director of research with scientists from New Zealand and the United States, told to the BBC that “the evidence suggested that calcium supplements give only a limited benefit to prevent osteoporosis when compared with other available treatments.”
“It’s a balance of risks. People should take into account the risks involved and how they apply to their own circumstances and discuss them with your doctor.”
Judy O’Sullivan, cardiac nurse for the British Heart Foundation, warned that “these results should be interpreted with caution because the trials began with the intention of assessing the risk of heart attacks. However, the study should not be ignored. “
According to Dr. Claire Bowring, from the British Society for Osteoporosis, “there are still many questions unanswered regarding the treatment of osteoporosis. The people that is currently being treated with calcium supplements should consult with their doctors, especially if are suffering from a heart condition or are predisposed to it. “
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