Scientific journal Osteoporosis Daily reports no independent associations between supplemental calcium intake and risk of incident coronary heart disease and stroke, according to the Council on Responsible Nutrition (CRN).

This report counters a New Zealand study suggesting calcium supplements may be associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. “In this large-scale, long-term prospective cohort study in women, calcium supplement use was inversely associated with the risk of CHD. Our findings do not support an increased risk of CVD with calcium supplement use in women,” noted the authors of the Osteoporosis Daily study.

The study actually suggests calcium supplements are associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. The researchers identified some potential limitations around this finding and advised more research would be needed to confirm it.

Duffy MacKay, ND, senior vice president, scientific & regulatory affairs, CRN, agrees with new study.

“Calcium is an essential nutrient most widely used for its bone health benefits, and government data show most Americans don’t get enough. We encourage continued studies on calcium’s safety and benefits, but this study should help women feel confident that calcium supplements are an appropriate choice if they are not getting enough from food alone,” he said.

For more information, visit www.crnusa.org.