Calcium Citrate Helps Heart As Well As Bones
San
Antonio TX, 24 April 2002
A
new study published in the April issue of The American Journal
of Medicine found that otherwise healthy postmenopausal women
who took calcium citrate supplements lowered their cholesterol levels.
According to the researchers, calcium citrate has a positive effect
on heart health.
The
study "Effects of Calcium Supplementation on Serum Lipid Concentrations
in Normal Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial" was led by
Ian R. Reid, professor, Department of Medicine, University of Auckland
in New Zealand. The study was conducted as part of a larger trial
to assess the effects of calcium on fracture incidence.
"This
study showed that 1 gram of calcium (as calcium citrate) taken daily
lowers the damaging component of blood cholesterol (LDL or low-density
lipoprotein), and increases the protective cholesterol (HDL or high-density
lipoprotein). As a result, calcium citrate may reduce the incidence
of heart attacks and angina in postmenopausal women," explained
Dr. Reid.
According
to Dr. Reid, this study was designed to determine the effect of
calcium supplementation with calcium citrate (1 gram daily) on circulating
lipid concentrations in normal older women. Subjects were restricted
to postmenopausal women who were not receiving therapy for hyperlipidemia
or osteoporosis. A total of 223 women aged 68 to 76 received either
calcium citrate or placebo for 1 year. Fasting serum lipid concentrations
were obtained at baseline, and at 2, 6, and 12 months.
The
use of calcium citrate had a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels.
The results of this study support findings from earlier studies
that demonstrated calcium supplementation has a positive effect
on cholesterol levels. Other studies have also shown that calcium
intake is inversely associated with cardiovascular disease.
"Based
on our data, one could predict that calcium citrate supplements
may help otherwise healthy postmenopausal women reduce cholesterol,
improve heart health and possibly even reduce the rate of cardiovascular
related events by 20 to 30 percent," noted Dr. Reid. "These data
provide reason to encourage the more widespread use of calcium supplementation
in postmenopausal women," he added.
"This
is exciting news for women," says Miriam Nelson, PhD, author of
the Strong Women series of books and Director, Center for
Physical Fitness and Associate Professor of Nutrition at the USDA
Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. "We
all know calcium is essential for strong bones. However, this study
also showed calcium citrate may play a role in reducing heart attacks
and cardiovascular related deaths in postmenopausal women. This
indicates a renewed need for sufficient calcium intake. I recommend
taking a daily calcium citrate supplement, such as Citracal®
and vitamin D, to help women maintain strong bones and a healthy
heart."
According
to Dr. Reid, future clinical trials should also explore the effect
of calcium supplementation on lipids in other populations such as
men, and larger studies should be undertaken to assess the effects
of calcium supplementation on the risk of cardiovascular events.
In summing up the study's findings, Dr. Reid noted, "Our results
indicate that the benefits of calcium supplementation go beyond
osteoporosis."
Source
Mission
Pharmacal, via PR Newswire.
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