People who take calcium supplements to strengthen their bones may be increasing their risk of heart disease. Researchers analyzed the heart health and calcium intake of more than 1,500 adults between ages 45 and 84. At the start of the study, none of the participants showed signs of coronary artery calcification (CAC), a risk factor for hardened arteries. Overall, those who routinely consumed the most calcium had a lower risk for heart disease, but the opposite was true for participants whose calcium intake mostly came from supplements. In fact, taking a daily calcium supplement was associated with a 22 percent greater risk for CAC, reports The Washington Post. Unlike supplements, calcium-rich foods were not linked to heart disease. “We think the body metabolizes supplements and dietary calcium differently,” says the study’s leader, Erin Michos. “If you are worried about your bones, then get your calcium through food.”
Source: The WEEK– 11/10/16
