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In reply to the discussion: Bad News About Supplements [View all]KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)30. They can be dangerous too -- Calcium supplements increase risk of heart attacks
The body of evidence now seems to suggest that calcium consumed as part of a normal diet can, indeed, increase bone density and perhaps help lower blood pressure, but that supplements may be too risky for most people to take.
...
But when the team considered supplements, they found that those who took calcium supplements regularly were 86% more likely to have a heart attack than those who used no supplements. For those who took only calcium supplements, and no others, the risk doubled.
In an editorial accompanying the report, Dr. Ian R. Reid and Dr. Mark J. Bolland of the University of Auckland in New Zealand note that earlier studies have shown similar, albeit smaller effects. Those studies were smaller, however, and researchers did not put tremendous amounts of faith in them. Other studies, they note, have also shown that calcium supplements increase the risk of kidney stones by about 20%, cause gastrointestinal symptoms (particularly constipation) and double the risk of being hospitalized with an acute abdominal condition.
...
But when the team considered supplements, they found that those who took calcium supplements regularly were 86% more likely to have a heart attack than those who used no supplements. For those who took only calcium supplements, and no others, the risk doubled.
In an editorial accompanying the report, Dr. Ian R. Reid and Dr. Mark J. Bolland of the University of Auckland in New Zealand note that earlier studies have shown similar, albeit smaller effects. Those studies were smaller, however, and researchers did not put tremendous amounts of faith in them. Other studies, they note, have also shown that calcium supplements increase the risk of kidney stones by about 20%, cause gastrointestinal symptoms (particularly constipation) and double the risk of being hospitalized with an acute abdominal condition.
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/may/23/science/la-sci-sn-calcium-heart-disease-20120523
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What would be the motivation? Can't pharmaceutical companies make money off of supplements? nt
Xipe Totec
Dec 2012
#1
We can thank Sen Orrin Hatch of Utah for allowing these, many in UT, companies to get away
byeya
Dec 2012
#27
Lies from the pharmacueutical companies. They lose money when people are healthy.
ywcachieve
Dec 2012
#5
You really need to do a little research on the FDA before you make yourself look even worse. nt.
OldDem2012
Dec 2012
#22
Both the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the UCal Berekely Wellness letter do not
byeya
Dec 2012
#6
Every dollar spent on supplements is at the very least a dollar they didn't get.
djean111
Dec 2012
#9
Excellent points, byeya - eating a wide variety of foods, particularly plants, is best
Cassidy
Dec 2012
#11
It's a shame so many people can't eat glutan because whole grains are the basis of many
byeya
Dec 2012
#42
They can be dangerous too -- Calcium supplements increase risk of heart attacks
KurtNYC
Dec 2012
#30
With caps on damages, and higher burdens of proof to name just a few, big Pharma considers the
Dustlawyer
Dec 2012
#23
Hey, didja hear about the supplement pusher who sued his own supplement maker...
SidDithers
Dec 2012
#41