A new study shows one of the nation’s leading supplements may be a ‘heartbreaker’ if you take too much. While it’s a commonly held belief that calcium supplementation supports bone health, getting extra calcium through supplementation appears to be less effective than a balanced diet to make sure you’re getting enough calcium for your bones.  In fact, it may actually have a negative impact on heart health.

A Deeper Look at the Calcium Supplement Study

In the study of 23,980 Germans, ages 35-64, those taking calcium supplements were almost twice as likely to suffer heart attacks as those taking no vitamin supplements of any kind. The EPIC-Heidelberg study followed participants for 11 years, during which time 354 suffered heart attacks.

Researchers reported that calcium from food, previously thought to protect against cardiovascular disease, showed little benefit. Though the study couldn’t prove that calcium pills contributed to heart-attack risk, the findings were enough for an accompanying editorial to conclude that getting calcium in large doses by supplementation “is not natural, in that it does not reproduce the same metabolic effects as calcium in food. The evidence is also becoming steadily stronger that it is not safe, nor is it particularly effective.” – Heart

True Health U’s Take

Calcium supplementation seems a little controversial lately. Consequently, if you are concerned with bone and heart health, I’d recommend real food as a priority (sesame seeds, almonds, tofu, yogurt, and green leafy vegetables) and supplementation only if needed or if preferred because of benefits personally experienced.

Based on a review of recent calcium studies including the one discussed here, it appears as though too much calcium in supplement form (over 1,200 mg per day) may not be a good idea for most people.

Don’t Criticize Calcium Supplements too Quickly…

At the same time, simply because one or two studies report high incidences of heart attacks with people taking calcium supplements doesn’t mean calcium supplements cause heart attacks.  Many factors contribute to heart attacks and it is difficult to determine the exact cause in a nutrition or supplement study.

Nonetheless, if you take calcium supplements, you may want to consider lowering the amount you take if you are at risk for heart disease, have a genetic predisposition, or are concerned about heart health in general.

Calcium Supplements May Have a Place for Some…

People experiencing osteopenia or osteoporosis may benefit from higher levels of calcium supplementation if their diet does not contain adequate calcium from real foods, but more than 800 mg per day from supplements might not be needed.

Should you choose to take a calcium supplement, visit our tested and true Calcium page to find out which calcium products passed independent testing.

Gain Access to Our Free Video Series on Tested (safe) and True (effective) Dietary Supplements

Video 1 offers a video presentation overview, shares why there’s so much hype surrounding the dietary supplement industry and explains what triggered an explosion of the supplement market.

Video 2 uncovers the dietary supplement industry further to report why the buyer needs to beware and provides viewers the resources needed to find tested and true products.

Video 3 defines tested and true supplements, reviews the latest research regarding fish oil and multivitamins, and offers viewers a few examples of tested and true products.

Video 4 discusses tested and true Vitamin D

Video 5 covers coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10), glucosamine and chondrotin and more

Discover more Tested and True supplements…

Go to Spotlight: Supplements – Tested and True: Defined

Go to Spotlight: Supplements – Tested and True: Fish Oil

Go to Spotlight: Supplements – Tested and True: Krill Oil

Go to Spotlight: Supplements – Tested and True: Multivitamins

Go to Spotlight: Supplements – Tested and True: Vitamin D

Go to Spotlight: Supplements – Tested and True: Calcium

Go to Spotlight: Supplements – Tested and True: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ-10)

Go to Spotlight: Supplements – Tested and True: Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Go to Spotlight: Supplements – Tested and True: Probiotics

Go to Spotlight: Supplements – Tested and True: Muscle Enhancers – Creatine

Go to Spotlight: Supplements – Tested and True: Muscle Enhancers – Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)

Go to Spotlight: Supplements – Tested and True: Nutrition Bars

Go to Spotlight: Supplements – Tested and True: Nutrition Drinks & Powders

Go to Spotlight: Supplements – Tested and True: Weight Loss Accelerators and Appetite Controllers

Go to Spotlight: Supplements – Tested and True: Mood Booster SAM-e

Go to Spotlight: Supplements – Tested and True: Mood Booster St. Johns’ Wort

Get Your Free on Inspired Living™ e-newsletter, plus FreeReal Food Therapy Guide