Just Say “No” to Megadoses of Calcium

For years doctors have been telling women to take high doses of calcium of up to 1500 milligrams a day to keep their bones strong. It has now emerged in numerous long-term studies that the effect of this mega-dosing is causing serious side effects and greatly impacting the health of women. Studies done recently in Great Britain have substantiated the life-threatening effects of high doses of calcium on the cardiovascular system and the promotion of myocardial infarctions (heart attacks).
 

A study conducted by Dr. Ian Reid of New Zealand’s University of Aukland states, “It is time to reassess the role of calcium supplementation for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.” “Our hypothesis when we started the study was that calcium would protect the heart.”
 

“Just over 2 years ago, Reid’s own research unexpectedly showed a slight increase in heart attacks in healthy, older women who took calcium supplements to prevent fractures.”
 

It is time for all women and men who are following the advice of a medical practitioner consuming over 500 mg of calcium supplements a day to reassess this protocol. There are studies that indicate 500 mg may even be too much for some.
 

Close to a dozen clinical trials that involved 12000 participants found that calcium supplements are associated with a 20% to 30% increase in heart attacks. So, you may think you are keeping your bones healthy and avoiding unwanted fractures but in fact, the researchers compared past studies on calcium and hip fracture from 1966 to 1999 and debunked that theory. They found NO association between the number of women who took calcium and their risk of hip fracture.
 

New research states that we need no more than 500-600 mg of calcium daily. We can easily get the amount needed if we eat a healthy diet of calcium-rich foods such as sardines, almonds, figs, oranges, and dark green vegetables. A serving of curly kale can give you your daily requirement on its own.
 

If you look online, you will see much conflicting information regarding recommended doses. Keep in mind the medical cartel is slow to change once dogma has been set. Research is starting to mount and is substantiating the fact that this nation takes far more calcium than is needed and yet we have extremely high rates of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. We are, in fact, experiencing the undesired fallout of over-supplementation of this essential mineral element.
 

If you want strong bones and a healthy body, you can achieve this by eating properly and avoiding sugar and white flour, and taking a balanced complement of minerals each day. Bones are comprised of so much more than just calcium. Silica is a major component of bone and is required to maintain bone collagen. It is also needed for your bones to absorb calcium in the continuous process of bone remodeling. In a recent study of the offspring of participants in the well-known Framingham Heart Study that included more than 1,200 men and nearly 1,600 women, researchers linked silicon intake to higher bone density. (1) In fact, bone contains 60-80% collagen and only 20-40% calcium and other minerals. The body must have Silica present in order to make collagen.
 

For your overall health, and for strong and resilient bones and a healthy heart, become informed and take charge of your life! Make the needed changes in your lifestyle and nutritional habits, and watch as your body thanks you with ever-increasing vitality and wellness. Keep in mind it may not happen overnight, but you will see improvement if you are committed to being healthy.
 

In good health,

Rick Wagner, M.S., C.N.

February 2020

References:

1. Warensjo, E. et al. "Dietary Calcium Intake And Risk Of Fracture And Osteoporosis: Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study". NIH, 2011, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21610048/.
2. "Dietary Silicon Intake Is Positively Associated With Bone Mineral Density In Men And Premenopausal Women Of The Framingham Offspring Cohort". NIH, 2004, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14969400