Calcium Supplements

[larrynz]

So many take calcium to counter prednisone so I think this study was worth posting here.

nz.news.yahoo.com//070922/9/1s1i.html
Sunday September 23, 08:17 AM
Calcium linked to increased heart risk
Women over 70 have been advised to stop taking calcium supplements because of a higher risk of a heart attack.

A University of Auckland study has found calcium - often prescribed by doctors to lower the risk of risk of broken bones in the elderly - caused a 40 per cent increase in heart attacks, The Sunday Star-Times reports.

In the University of Auckland study, 1500 post menopausal women were randomly assigned to take a placebo or 1000 mg of calcium for five years.

The Herald on Sunday said when the study started, researchers believed calcium supplements might cut the rate of heart attacks and strokes by almost a quarter.

But the reverse was found.

Thirty-six women on calcium supplements had heart attacks, compared with 22 on the placebo. Some women died from cardiac-related illnesses during the trial, but none of them was believed to have been caused by the calcium supplements.

A build up of calcium in blood vessels and heart valves increases a person's risk of heart disease but until now, the relationship between dietary calcium and cardiovascular problems had been uncertain.

Study director, Professor Ian Reid, said women over 70 who had been on the trial were recommended to stop taking the supplement, particularly if they had a history of heart or kidney disease, until the results of further investigations were known.

The women in the trial were given 1000 mg tablets, Prof Reid said. "Perhaps we should be encouraging more modest calcium supplements - 1000 mg is the standard dose, but perhaps it should be 500 mg."

Instead, other drug therapy to prevent bone loss could be preferable for older women, he said.

Prof Reid said three smaller international studies had shown similar results, which suggested the university's results were more than just a statistical anomaly.

[Deleted]

larrynz: I'm a longi9nte prednisone 'user' ... my pulmo is concerned about osteoporosis & calcium leeching ... suggests that what is most important is to get at least 15 minutes of sunlight per day on face and upper body ... walk and move about at least ten minutes out of at least three hours per day ... eat a balanced diet, with emphasis on fruit, grains - AND GREENS (as in turnup, kale, collard, cabbage & b. sprouts, etc.) at least once per day. Says he has 'issues' with calcium supplements alone ...

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

This is very interesting Larry;

rp; you're a pred user (I wonder if Rose is as well) since she just broke the bones in her legs. Alsp rp; you mentioned sunlighted....Vitamin D

I use, as do many, inhaled steroids (as do you Larry)....is this applicable I wonder to this scenario?

[larrynz]

I have had pred a lot in the past, for sinus as well as breathing, plus inhaled steroids, at one time my doctor put me calcium but it upset the tummy, so I threw them out. Perhaps just as well.

[Joyce7]

This interests me also. I use inhaled steroids but have had the prednisone bursts. I have noticed that the osteoarthritis in my hands is worse but assumed that was just aging. I don't have osteoporosis at this time and am not on calcium. I'd love to know about the affect inhaled steroids have on us...Joyce

[toni]

This is something I will be discussing with my doctor. I'm on Advair 500 and Flovent 500. I've also had many prednisone bursts in the last five years. I take Didrical to help with the calcium.

My recent bone density scan says I'm one step away from osteoporosis, so my family doctor has told me to take Vitamin D and 2000mg of calcium per day!

I'll be printing this article off to discuss with her for sure.

Thanks for sharing Larry.

Toni

[cocojax]

I have osteoporosis in my lower back and hip, I was diagnosed a few years ago, so I have been taking a bone builder alendrolate ( fosomax is the brand name) the day I take the bone builder I do not take calcium per the pharmacist. Every other day I take about 600 mg calcium ( plus what is in my diet ) and 1000 Vitamin D to help absorb the calcium. When I told them at Toronto General when I went for my evaluation in August they did not say anything. I will mention this when I go back in November..

[LindaNY]

Interesting article, Larry.

Even though I've been on inhaled steroids for many years, my last bone scan was normal.

Unfortunately my GYN said to take calcium supps., but I didn't do it. Wait until I show this to him. ;D