We can sometimes be fooled into thinking that taking supplements can only be a good thing for our health. We see hundreds of different supplements available, all offering different health benefits, and it gives us the impression that they are good for us. But in recent years there have been increasing concerns about different supplements and whether they are completely safe to use. This is especially true of calcium supplements. A number of studies have been commissioned to look into whether we should be using them on a regular basis. A number of experts have speculated that excess calcium from supplements can contribute to plaque deposits that can form clots in the blood vessels. This, they say, could trigger a heart attack.
But a few months ago, a study seemed to reduce any earlier fears that taking these popular pills could boost your risk of developing heart disease. The research, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, couldn’t find a link between taking calcium supplements and the build-up of calcium in the arteries of the heart. However, new research has once again brought up speculation that these supplements might actually be something of a danger to us. One study found that a high intake of calcium in the form of supplements was associated with an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease in men. Interestingly, it was not the case in women.
So this may suggest that men should certainly avoid taking regular doses of calcium in supplement form. It’s important to remember that calcium itself is not the problem, and that if you get your calcium intake from your diet rather than supplements there is no chance of increased risk. The supplements are the only worrying aspect in the whole debate.
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