NOF Responds to National Institutes of Health–AARP Diet and Health Study

In response to a study published in the February issue of JAMA Internal Medicine suggesting a link between a high intake of supplemental calcium and heart disease risk among men, the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) reminds individuals to talk with their healthcare providers about the appropriate amount of calcium they need for bone health and fracture prevention.

The AARP Diet and Health study was designed by the National Institutes of Health to look at diet and cancer outcomes; it was not designed to look at cardiovascular outcomes. Therefore, like many other recently released studies, the study was not initially intended to look at supplemental calcium and its potential effect on the heart. Therefore, NOF continues to believe there is a lack of consistent evidence linking calcium supplement intake to any positive or negative effects on the cardiovascular system.

While the study found higher rates of cardiovascular disease death among men who reported taking more than 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium per day from supplements, it did not find any increased risk of heart-related disease or deaths among women who reported taking calcium. The study also found no link between dietary calcium and heart-related disease or death.

“NOF continues recommending a food first approach for calcium intake. Most individuals can obtain a significant portion of their daily calcium needs from calcium-rich foods like low-fat and fat-free dairy products, certain green vegetables and calcium-fortified foods,” said Robert Recker, M.D., president of the National Osteoporosis Foundation. “Calcium supplements should be used to make up for any shortfall of dietary calcium individuals need to reach the total recommended daily amounts of 1,000-1,200 mg.“

According to NOF’s recommendations, women under age 50 need a total of 1,000 mg of calcium daily from all sources, including both food and supplements. Women age 50 and older need a total of 1,200 mg of calcium daily. Men 70 and younger need a total of 1,000 mg of calcium daily from all sources, while men older than 70 need a total of 1,200 mg.

With one in two women and up to one in four men likely to break a bone due to osteoporosis in their lifetime, getting the recommended amount of calcium every day remains a top priority for women and men of all ages. To meet the total 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium recommended, individuals should take calcium supplements to make up for any shortfall in their diet.

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become weak and more likely to break. In fact, two million bone breaks occur every year in the U.S. due to osteoporosis, often resulting in immobility, pain, placement in a nursing home, isolation and other health problems.