Calcium Supplements Boost Good Cholesterol Levels

Calcium Supplements Boost Good Cholesterol Levels

According to a recent study investigating calcium's effects on cholesterol, postmenopausal women may have another reason beyond osteoporosis protection to supplement with this important mineral.

As part of a study investigating how calcium supplementation affects fractures, researchers randomly assigned 223 postmenopausal women not receiving therapy for high cholesterol or osteoporosis into two groups. One group received calcium citrate, the other group a placebo for 1 year. The study authors then measured fasting serum lipid concentrations, including high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the 'good' cholesterol) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the 'bad' cholesterol). The researchers took the measurements at the start of the study, and at 2, 6, and 12 months.

At the end of the study, HDL cholesterol levels had risen in the calcium group and the HDL cholesterol to LDL cholesterol ratio also had increased more in the calcium group than in the placebo group. In fact, HDL cholesterol rose by 7% in the calcium group, accompanied by a slight 6% decline in LDL cholesterol levels.

According to the researchers, 'Calcium citrate supplementation causes beneficial changes in circulating lipids in postmenopausal women. This suggests that a reappraisal of the indications for calcium supplementation is necessary, and that its cost effectiveness may have been underestimated.'

Reference:

Reid IR, Mason B, Horne A, Ames R, Clearwater J, Bava U, Orr-Walker B, Wu F, Evans MC, Gamble GD. Effects of calcium supplementation on serum lipid concentrations in normal older women: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Med. 2002 Apr 1;112(5):343-7.

The information in this article is not intended to provide personal medical advice, which should be obtained from a medical professional, and has not been approved by the U.S. FDA.

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