On July 2010 a study was published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) on the effects of calcium supplements and the risk of cardiovascular events and it concluded that calcium supplements may increase these risks. Since then mass media has been running headlines such as; Calcium supplements linked to heart attacks: study. This type of reporting can be extremely misleading and make it confusing for consumers to know what is and what is not safe.

The first thing to consider in this “study” was that it was not a study, but a meta-analysis. A meta-analysis is a research approach that assesses the results of previous research to arrive at conclusions; the studies that are evaluated are hand chosen by the researchers conducting the analysis and thus the whole method can be biased to steer the results to support the hypothesis. In response to the study and stories in the media, Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D., vice president of Global Government and Scientific Affairs for the Natural Products Association notes the following:

“There are thousands of studies on calcium, but the authors selected only eight to do this meta-analysis. None of the selected studies had cardiovascular outcomes as the primary end-points, and data on cardiovascular events were not gathered in a standardized manner, so it would appear much more of a predetermined outcome versus one of great scientific rigor. We have seen the argument time and again that people can get all the nutrients they need from a balanced diet. However, we have also seen time and again that the majority of Americans do not eat a balanced diet. With that understanding, we hope that all individuals who use calcium supplements, and especially those populations that are at high risk for fractures, will continue their regimens and not be dissuaded by the attention surrounding this less than satisfactory study.”

Meta-analysis can be useful when they include studies that are very similar in design and conclusions; however this meta-analysis combined studies that did not measure the same data and outcomes, thus compromising the results, not to mention the small number of studies evaluated out of thousands to chose from. Despite the information presented about the potentially negative effects of calcium, be assured there have been a great deal of scientific studies demonstrating the many positive health benefits associated with calcium supplementation. Calcium is a highly essential mineral, and many in the U.S do not consume enough of this vital mineral and supplementation is a still great way to ensure you receive your daily requirement.

At allvitaminsplus.com we will always do our best to keep you well-informed and up-to-date with the latest information and research by trying to address any concerns or questions you may have regarding studies and articles such as this. Always be sure to consult with your health care provider prior to taking any supplement; especially if you are taking medication or being monitored for any health condition. Each individual has different health care needs and dietary requirements which can be best addressed by a practitioner who knows your health history.