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The National Osteoporosis Foundation Responds to Study Linking Calcium Supplements to Increased Heart Attack Risk
NOF cautions individuals and healthcare providers to consider benefits of appropriate calcium intake to bone health and fracture prevention in light of recent media coverage of calcium supplements and heart attack risk.
WASHINGTON, DC (May 24, 2012) — A study published in the June issue of the journal Heart suggests a link between increased risk of heart attack and calcium supplementation. The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) believes that more research is needed to better understand the potential relationship between calcium supplements and heart attack risk and individuals should consult with their healthcare providers before discontinuing use of calcium supplements while continuing to meet their daily calcium needs from food sources first.
“While the benefits of calcium to bone health are well documented, this study’s findings are inconclusive. Calcium plays a critical role in reducing the risk for osteoporosis and broken bones. Media coverage of the study’s findings that does not highlight the important benefits of calcium to bone health could lead individuals to stop taking calcium supplements without consulting with their healthcare provider, resulting in an increased risk of broken bones,” said Robert Recker, M.D., president of the National Osteoporosis Foundation. “A woman’s risk for fractures from osteoporosis is greater than the combined risk for heart attack, stroke and breast cancer.”
NOF recommends that individuals meet their daily calcium needs through food sources first and take a calcium supplement only if they aren't getting enough calcium from their diet to reach the 1,000 mg or 1,200 mg total. Inadequate calcium intake has been proven to lead to increased risk for osteoporosis and broken bones. NOF recommends women under age 50 need a total of 1,000 mg of calcium from all sources every day, while women 50 and older need a total of 1,200 mg of calcium. Men 70 and younger need a total of 1,000 mg of calcium from all sources every day, while men older than 70 need a total of 1,200 mg of calcium. 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.
Osteoporosis is a disease in which an individual’s bones become thin and are more likely to break. An estimated 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and 34 million more are at risk for the disease. Osteoporosis currently causes an estimated two million fractures each year and often results in immobility, pain, placement in a nursing home, isolation and other health problems.
Calcium and the Heart Bone Basics Alert for more detailed information about calcium.
About the National Osteoporosis Foundation
Established in 1984, the National Osteoporosis Foundation, a leading community-focused health organization, is dedicated to the prevention of osteoporosis and broken bones, the promotion of strong bones for life and the reduction of human suffering through programs of awareness, education, advocacy and research. For more information on the National Osteoporosis Foundation, visit www.nof.org.
The latest
The National Osteoporosis Foundation has named Barbara Hannah Grufferman as its first Bone Health Ambassador. In this newly-established role, Grufferman, a well-known advocate for healthy and positive living, will dedicate her time, talent and energy to raise awareness for osteoporosis and the importance of building strong bones for life.
Thanks to a generous gift from The Samuel J. & Ethel LeFrak Charitable Trust, the National Osteoporosis Foundation met its Generations of Strength fundraising goal one year early. NOF launched the Generations of Strength initiative in September 2011 with the goal of raising $2 million in two years to improve patient care for the most vulnerable – those who have broken bones due to osteoporosis – and to protect future generations from the disease.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), the nation’s leading health organization dedicated to preventing osteoporosis and broken bones, has named Claire Gill as its Senior Director of Marketing, Consumer and Corporate Outreach. Gill brings extensive experience in public relations and marketing communications to this newly-established role.
