Calcium Supplements Not Linked to Increased Dementia risk in Women, New Research Finds
A new study offers notable reassurance regarding the long-term safety of calcium supplements, finding no evidence they increase the risk of developing dementia in older women. The findings, stemming from research conducted by Edith Cowan University (ECU), Curtin University, and the university of Western Australia, directly address previous concerns about potential harmful effects on brain health.
The investigation, published this week, analyzed data from a five-year project involving 1,460 women. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either calcium supplements or a placebo, and researchers followed their cognitive health for an additional 14.5 years. The results demonstrated that calcium supplementation did not elevate the likelihood of dementia over the long term.
“Calcium supplements are frequently enough recommended to prevent or manage osteoporosis,” explained a PhD student at ECU. Approximately 20% of women over the age of 70 currently live with osteoporosis, a condition where bones become brittle and more prone to fractures, and calcium is a widely recommended preventative measure.
Previous studies had suggested a possible link between calcium intake and cognitive decline, prompting anxieties among patients and healthcare providers. “results from our study provides reassurance to patients and clinicians regarding the safety of calcium supplements in the context of dementia risk for older women,” the ECU researcher stated.
The research team emphasized the rigor of their methodology. Even after accounting for factors like supplement use, diet, lifestyle, and genetic predispositions, the findings remained consistent. A senior research fellow at ECU noted that prior research linking calcium to dementia was largely based on observational studies, which are more susceptible to confounding variables. “Our research, in comparison, consisted of a post-hoc analysis from a 5-year double-blind, placebo controlled randomized clinical trial on calcium supplements to prevent fracture. Whilst our study is still epidemiology, its design does reduce the likelihood of unmeasured confounding.”
The study involved 730 women receiving calcium supplements and another 730 receiving a placebo. The extended follow-up period and controlled trial design provide a more robust dataset regarding dosage, duration, and long-term effects.
while the findings are encouraging, experts caution that further research is needed. The director of ECU’s Center for Precision Health emphasized that the results may not be generalizable to other populations. “Whether this extrapolates to other demographics, such as men or even women commencing supplementation earlier in life, remains unknown,” he said. Future clinical trials should specifically assess brain health as a primary outcome and include diverse participant groups, potentially investigating the role of vitamin D.
Dementia Australia echoed the positive implications of the study. “Given calcium’s critical role in multiple physiological functions, including bone health, these results provide reassurance that long-term calcium supplementation did not increase dementia risk in older women.”
the research underscores the importance of evidence-based healthcare decisions and offers a valuable contribution to the ongoing understanding of factors influencing cognitive health in aging populations.
