Calcium supplements are taken by many hoping to keep bone issues at bay, but a team of experts has found in some cases the practice may be doing more harm than good.
Calcium supplements are taken by many hoping to keep bone issues at bay, but a team of experts has found in some cases the practice may be doing more harm than good.
Researchers from a number of prominent U.S. universities, including Johns Hopkins and UCLA, say study results suggest employing the aids may heighten the risk of arterial plaque buildup and damage to the heart.
Calcium taken in via naturally rich food sources posed no such threat.
In arriving at their conclusions, the team studied data collected by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for its Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.
The analysis revealed that the takers of the nutrient boosters were 22% more likely to experience increased plaque build up over the course of a decade.
Erin Michos, one of the study’s authors, said, “…patients should really discuss any plan to take calcium supplements with their doctor to sort out a proper dosage or whether they even need them.”
