Skip to content

Calcium Supplements Safe for Brain Health in Older Women: Long-Term Study

Calcium supplements are off the hook for brain health concerns. A long-term study involving thousands of women found no increased risk of dementia.

In this image I can see the person's photo. To the side of the photo I can see many bottles and few...
In this image I can see the person's photo. To the side of the photo I can see many bottles and few pills in it.

Calcium Supplements Safe for Brain Health in Older Women: Long-Term Study

A long-term study has put to rest concerns about calcium supplements and their potential impact on brain health. The research, spanning 14.5 years and involving 1,460 women, found no harmful link between calcium use and brain health, even after accounting for genetics, diet, and lifestyle.

The study, a post-hoc analysis from a larger trial, compared women taking calcium supplements to those given a placebo. It found no evidence that calcium supplements increase dementia risk in older women. This contradicts previous research that had raised concerns about potential negative effects of calcium supplements on cognitive health.

The study, funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, provides reassurance to patients and clinicians about the safety of calcium supplements in the context of dementia risk for older women. Calcium supplements are often recommended to prevent fractures and osteoporosis in older women. The findings do not support concerns that calcium supplementation increases long-term risk of dementia. However, further research is required to confirm these findings and to address population gaps, such as men or women commencing supplementation earlier in life.

In conclusion, a comprehensive study has found no harmful link between calcium supplements and brain health in older women. This should reassure both patients and clinicians about the safety of calcium supplements in the context of dementia risk. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and explore potential gaps in the current study.

Read also:

Latest