(HealthDay News) – Women taking ≤1,000mg/day of calcium supplements and with increased consumption of dietary calcium may have a reduced risk of mortality, according to a study published online May 23 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
To examine the correlation between calcium and vitamin D intake and mortality, Lisa Langsetmo, PhD, from McGill University in Montreal, and colleagues analyzed data from 9,033 randomly-selected, community-dwelling adults participating in the longitudinal Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study who were followed from 1995–2007. Total calcium intake was assessed through consumption of dairy, non-dairy food, and supplements; and total vitamin D was assessed through intake of milk, yogurt, and supplements.
The researchers found that over the study period there were 1,160 deaths. No definitive associations were observed for calcium and vitamin D intake and mortality in men. For women, however, there was a possible benefit observed with higher total calcium intake. For every 500-mg increase in daily calcium intake the hazard ratio was 0.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.89–1.01), with no indication of heterogeneity by source. The use of calcium supplements in women was associated with significantly reduced mortality (hazard ratio, 0.78) for users vs. non-users, with significant reductions persisting with doses up to 1,000 mg/day. Concurrent vitamin D intake did not alter these associations.
“Calcium supplements, ≤1,000mg/day, and increased dietary intake of calcium may be associated with reduced risk of mortality in women,” the authors write.
Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
