Calcium Supplements Linked to Heart Attacks

Study Shows Patients Taking Pills to Boost Calcium Levels Face 31 Percent Increase in Heart Attacks

(CBS)  Calcium supplements are a good way to keep bones strong, but there's new concern Thursday they could lead to an increased risk for heart attack.

Lisa Kwock has two problems: her bones are thinning and her cholesterol is high. She's taking calcium, but now she's worried that what may help her bones may hurt her heart.

(Scroll down for a list of calcium-rich foods to eat instead of taking supplements)

"I think why this study concerns me is because of all the different factors I represent," said Kwock. "At some point we're going to have to make a decision as I get older."

It's a decision faced by millions, CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook reports. New research released Thursday night looked at 11 studies involving 11,921 patients. Those receiving calcium supplements had a 31 percent increase in heart attacks.

"I think it's important for us to look at this study and rethink our practice," said Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, director of women's health and heart disease, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "We shouldn't just recommend supplementation to all of our patients."

More study is definitely needed, but now it looks like it's better to get calcium through food, which doesn't seem to cause this type of heart problem.

Top 5 Non-Dairy Foods High in Calcium
1. Figs (four pieces contain 506 milligrams of calcium)
2. Sardines with bones (3 ounces contain 324 milligrams)
3. Soybeans (1 cup contains 261 milligrams)
4. Salmon with bones (3 ounces contain 181 milligrams)
5. Sesame Seeds (1 tablespoon contains 80 milligrams)

Top 3 Foods with Calcium (by Category)
Nuts
1. Sesame Seeds
2. Almonds
3. Walnuts

Fish/Shellfish
1. Sardines (with bones)
2. Salmon (with bones)
3. Oysters

Vegetables
1. Soybeans
2. Broccoli
3. Chick Peas

Fruits
1. Figs
2. Apricots
3. Oranges

[JJ_in_tulsa]

WE listen to the story about the bear, about the dog, about the calcium,, but Fox had a huge bunch of stories that affected all of us. And Katie does the bear, the dog and calccium. You can make fun of Fox everyday but at least they will tell you something... this channel just gives us happy pills while our economy fails.

[grainerycat]

I am so disappointed, Dr. Jon! That is half a story at best. And Katie, isn't calcium supposed to help prevent colon cancer? I would like to see this topic revisited with better research! All this story serves to do is confuse people.

[cktirumalai]

So long as calcium is available from food sources (and the list you provide does allow choice between them) I would definitely prefer them to supplements. The latter are convenient but, as you point out, problematic. The issue is more difficult with Vitamin D, now considered important from several points of view. The synthesis made possible by exposure to sunlight provides the natural kind. And there are foods and drinks to which it has been added: mine are soy milk and a special kind of yogurt.
Candadai Tirumalai

[marcr7]

Hey, Katie, welcome to the world of nutrition information. It was 40 years ago that professional nutritionists started advising against taking just calcium as a supplement. It was discovered that it must be taken along with magnesium in a 2 - 1 ratio, that is, twice as much calcium as magnesium. All well-reputed brands of calcium supplements include that mix. As to asking medical doctors for advice on nutrition: Were you aware that courses in nutrition are nonexistent in an MD's background? Rather, they stand staunchly with the pharmaceutical companies in their war against supplements. If you wnat to go to a doctor for advice on supplements, try a naturopathic physician, trained pros on the subject.

[LOL_AT_CBS]

You missed part of the study. It said the results were "not statistically significant." In plain English, that means that the results could occur randomly, and are not scientifically reliable. And that "30 percent increase" certainly sounds scary... until you consider that an increase from a 3-in-1000 chance to a 4-in-1000 chance is a 33 percent increase. But I'm sure the truth doesn't make nearly as catchy a headline.

[ingridmluke]

Such incomplete reports as the danger of calcium do more harm than good. As already mentioned, it is not just calcium but magnesium, etc. that is required and that should be pointed out.

Also, the trite "get your nutrition from foods we eat", needs to be honestly examined. I challenge the reporting doctor (or better yet a qualified nutritionist) to put together a sample daily diet from food alone that meets ALL the minimum vitamins/minerals suggested for an adult at 2,000 calories a day. I have seen several attempts at what would be considered a VERY healty mean plan with salmon, veggies, fruit, dairy smoothy - and there are always numerous nutrients far from the daily minimum requirement.

Suggesting that broccoli is a good alternative to supplemental calcium shows the lack of nutritional education the good doctor has received. To get just 1/4th of my daily MDR for calcium (1,200 for my age) I would need to consume over 7 cups of broccoli - possibly but how realistic is this? Also, this is assuming the foods are absolutely fresh.

Such incomplete and glib solutions is of no help - just to produce a story.

Thanks, Ingrid

[erasmus111]

We were MEANT to get all the nutrients we need from food, not pills. I have never believed that taking all these different vitamins were good for you.


"Suggesting that broccoli is a good alternative to supplemental calcium shows the lack of nutritional education the good doctor has received. To get just 1/4th of my daily MDR for calcium (1,200 for my age) I would need to consume over 7 cups of broccoli - possibly but how realistic is this?"


I don't think the good doctor was saying that we should be having 7 cups of broccoli a day. Your calcium intake for the day doesn't need to come from just one source. You could have a cup of broccoli along with some of the other things that are listed that contain calcium.

[thesensitiveguy]

Rachette is correct, and two important trace minerals that strengthen bones are Boron and Copper, preferably taken in chelated form to improve absorption. --Dr Robert

[thesensitiveguy]

Rachette is correct, and two important trace minerals that strengthen bones are Boron and Copper, preferably taken in chelated form to improve absorption. --Dr Robert

[Rachette]

Hi
I agree with Dr. Robert. Your bones need magnesium and your heart needs magnesium. Most calcium supplements contain no magnesium. Calcium from natural sources is fine if you can get enough. Otherwise one should take calcium with magnesium.
Your bones need not only calcium, but magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin D and some trace minerals.

[thesensitiveguy]

You are right, Rachette -- and, two of the important trace minerals that strengthen bones are Boron and Copper! -- Dr Robert

[ceegull]

This is typical broadcast news reporting: Flagrantly out of context, touching on only the tip of the story. Based on Dr. Robert's comments, there may be more to the supplement profile; the report itself mentions the necessity of "getting it from food," but does not state how much is necessary to consume to achieve the proper levels of calcium intake. Is age and metabolism a factor? sex? what about the use of vitamin D in association with calcium? There is more about this story that is missing than there is present. But the objective has no doubt been achieved: screaming headlines with no context. How about a REAL look at the issue? Let's finish the story, Katie!