FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National Bone Health Alliance (NBHA) Reacts to Media Coverage of Study Linking the Use of Calcium Supplements to Increase in Heart Attack Risk
Individuals and healthcare professionals should consider the benefits of appropriate calcium intake to bone health and fracture prevention in light of recent media coverage of the potential link between calcium supplements and heart attack risk.
Washington, D.C., May 25, 2012 - A study published in the June issue of the journal Heart suggests a link between increased risk of heart attack and calcium supplementation. More research is needed to better understand the potential relationship between calcium supplements and heart attack risk and individuals should therefore consult with their healthcare professional before discontinuing the use of calcium supplements while continuing to meet their daily calcium needs from food sources first.
The benefits of calcium to bone health are well documented, as calcium plays a critical role in reducing the risk for osteoporosis and broken bones. However, media coverage of the study’s findings does not adequately highlight the important benefits of calcium to bone health and could lead individuals to stop taking calcium supplements without consultation with their healthcare professional, resulting in an increased risk of broken bones.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) recommends that individuals meet their daily calcium needs through food sources first and take a calcium supplement only if they aren't getting enough calcium from their diet to reach the 1,000 mg or 1,200 mg total. Inadequate calcium intake has been proven to lead to increased risk for osteoporosis and broken bones. NOF recommends women under age 50 need a total of 1,000 mg of calcium from all sources every day, while women 50 and older need a total of 1,200 mg of calcium. Men 70 and younger need a total of 1,000 mg of calcium from all sources every day, while men older than 70 need a total of 1,200 mg of calcium. Most individuals can obtain a significant portion of their daily calcium needs from calcium-rich foods like low-fat and fat-free dairy products, certain green vegetables and calcium-fortified foods. You can read more about adequate calcium intake guidelines on NOF’s website at www.nof.org/aboutosteoporosis/prevention/calcium.
For more information or to schedule an interview with an NBHA expert, please contact David Lee at (202) 721-6351 or david.lee@nbha.org.
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About the National Bone Health Alliance
Established in late 2010, the National Bone Health Alliance is a public-private partnership that brings together the expertise and resources of various partners across a broad spectrum to promote bone health and prevent disease; improve diagnosis and treatment of bone disease; and enhance bone research, surveillance and evaluation. NBHA is a platform that allows all voices in the bone health community to work together around shared priorities and develop projects that can become reality through pooled funding. The 42 members of the Alliance (as well as liaisons representing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Institutes of Health and U.S. Food and Drug Administration) are working from a shared vision: to improve the overall health and quality of life of all Americans by enhancing their bone health. For more information on NBHA, visit www.nbha.org.