Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Calcium Supplements Associated with Heart in Older

Calcium supplements linked to increased risk of heart attack, study finds (July 30, 2010) -- Calcium supplements, commonly taken by older people for osteoporosis, are associated with an increased risk of a heart attack, a new study finds. ... > full story:-

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100729191154.htm

The results suggest that a reassessment of the role of calcium supplements in osteoporosis management is needed.

Calcium supplements are commonly prescribed for skeletal health, but a recent trial suggested they might increase rates of heart attack (myocardial infarction) and cardiovascular events in healthy older women." (more...)

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There's ALWAYS flippin summat innit...

You got that right!

I notice that no mention is made of magnesium. It might occur to me that taking calcium without magnesium, to help facilitate placing calcium where it's needed (your bones for instance), may deposit the "unneeded" calcium in the arteries thus increasing risk for a cardiovascular event. Not really surprised it this is the case. It would also not surprise me to learn that this published information is somehow "sponsored". They don't cite a specific study after all and refer you to another medical journal which this publication "adapted" from those journals. Who knows what was obfuscated in the translation.

ahhh jaybird... good point. and would like to add 'topical magnesium' would be better as we dont absorb all that much thru digestion when taken orally.

I was wondering about the magnesium component, too. Mineral balance is so complex.

You know, this is really summat that the various AS Associations 'should' be addressing.

We are left to trial and prob not a few errors, which will not be conducisve to our better health. Sigh.

lets not forget also the lowered ability to produce/absorb vit d!

Hi Molly,
This doesn't look very comforting, but it would make people think more about the strontium alternative. I was wondering if it was just pure calcium alone too, or whether or not they were using citrate.

I try to make sure to get the kind of calcium supplement with at least 400IU vitamin D and a generous amount of Magnesium (+/-500mg). I normally don't try to go much higher than the recommended dose of calcium though, about 1000-1200mg daily of calcium.

I also like to take a multivitamin daily to ensure I am getting all of the vitamins and minerals for proper calcium absorption and overall bone health. Prior to supplementing I had 5 larger sized kidney stones, and I haven't had any since, so I must be doing something right in that area at least. This article does worry me though.

Take care,
James

yeh, i saw that in the news too, and my first thoughts were "oh, that's just great!" but talking with hubby, it is a new claim, so maybe best to wait and see how it pans out.

does seem like its a matter of choosing the lesser of two evils many times.

I read a subsequent article that said the risk is associated with supplements only. Previous studies have shown that there isn't any increased risk from a high calcium diet.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/08/01/20100801CalciumHeart0801.html

Craig