High calcium intake increases heart attack risk

Too much calcium can be harmful: Dietary supplements do not always make sense

27/12/2013

The mineral calcium is a widely used and popular supplement with the bones and nerves healthy and the muscles are kept going. For a long time, the vital substance was considered completely harmless and useful, but now studies have shown that excessive consumption carries cardiovascular risks.

Vital to the human being
Calcium is one of the vital minerals for humans: It strengthens and stabilizes bones and teeth and is also involved in elementary body functions such as the flow of information in the nerves, blood clotting and muscle tension. Also for the activation of enzymes and hormone regulation, the mineral is needed. Calcium deficiency can cause muscle spasms, or possibly rickets and osteoporosis. The vital substance is abundant in various foods, such as in dairy products such as yogurt or cheese, in vegetables such as broccoli and leek, as well as in nuts. In addition, it can be taken with the drinking water and calcium-rich mineral water.

Bone health increases through calcium intake
When sufficient calcium intake is left behind due to one-sided nutrition or malnutrition in old age or illness, many people resort to calcium pills. Professor Armin Zittermann, member of the working group Calcium at the German Society for Nutrition (DGE), told dpa: „In fact, it has been proven that supplementing with calcium increases bone health and decreases the rate of bone fracture in vulnerable populations.“ However, excessive use of those funds could increase the risk of vascular occlusion and a heart attack. „Several high-quality studies from recent years provide evidence that these side effects may occur“, so Zittermann.

Deaths in women increased
The additional intake of calcium in the form of dietary supplements becomes particularly problematic when already high calcium doses are added to the daily diet. Professor Zittermann refers to a study from Sweden, whose results in early 2013 in the journal „British Medical Journal“ (BMJ). According to the study, the number of deaths among women who consumed more than 1400 milligrams (mg) of calcium daily through their diet and supplements was significantly increased. Zittermann explained: „In the end, calcium has two functions“. The mineral is mostly stored in bone and contributes to bone stability and fracture safety. Smaller amounts are also needed in the blood for blood clotting.

Recommended daily intake often not reached
The researcher explains that additional calcium should only be taken if adequate nutrition can not be guaranteed. The DGE recommends a daily intake of 1,000 mg of adult calcium. According to the umbrella organization Osteologie (DVO), the sum of nutritional supplements and nutrition should not exceed 1,500 mg per day. The DGE recommendation for adolescents is 1200 mg per day. Nutritionist Petra Ambrosius, who is part of the Society's Information Society on Information on Vital Substances and Give said that the recommended daily intake is often not reached.

Sufficient supply of vitamin D
Those who can not improve their diet should then think about a supplement. It depends on an adequate supply of vitamin D.. „Vitamin D requires the body to absorb calcium“, so Ambrosius. Therefore, commercial preparations usually contain a combination of calcium and vitamin D. Especially in winter there is often a lack of vitamin D, since the body can produce the vitamin only with the help of sunlight. The individual calcium and vitamin intake can be checked by a nutritional fine analysis. „You write down for a few days what you eat and drink“, declared Ambrosius. „Nutritionists analyze the data using nutritional programs and can then determine if the intake is likely to be covered.“

Rethinking Osteoporosis
Based on the study results, a rethinking in the intake of calcium supplements is also appropriate in relation to the bone disease osteoporosis, sums up Prof. Johannes Pfeilschifter of the German Society of Endocrinology. „It used to be said that anyone who wants to prevent osteoporosis should drink plenty of milk, eat lots of cheese and, of course, take calcium tablets“, he explained. „Following this motto „Much helps a lot“ you would not go today.“ Those who reliably get their 1,000 mg of calcium per day through their diets therefore do not need supplements. From the studies so far do not show that it brings a benefit anyway to consume which. (Ad)