[Calcium supplementation in healthy subjects: benefits and risks]

Abstract

Over recent years the cardiovascular safety of calcium supplementation, taken by millions on a daily basis, has raised concerns. Despite the borderline benefit of calcium supplementation in regards to fracture risk reduction, osteoporosis guidelines continue to advocate daily calcium supplementation assuming that calcium does no harm. However, reanalysis of large randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies consistently show a modest, but significant increased cardiovascular risk in healthy individuals taking calcium supplementation. The aim of this review is summarise recent data demonstrating elevated cardiovascular risk possibly attributable to oral calcium supplementation in healthy individuals.