Vitamins and mineralsCalcium tablets — do they clog arteries?
Sources: 10 · Article: 10 473 characters
Jerzy Zięba says that women who took calcium supplements were more likely to have arterial calcification, a heart attack, or a stroke.
- Jan Jaśkowski recommends avoiding extra calcium to prevent soft-tissue calcification, including in the blood vessels.
- Jerzy Jaśkowski describes atherosclerotic plaque as lime, and cholesterol as its covering.
- Thomas E. Levy writes that excess calcium in the body is common, and that magnesium may limit how much calcium cells take up and may offer benefits for atherosclerosis.
What the authors write
Jerzy Zięba
Women who took calcium supplements were more likely to have arterial calcification, a heart attack, or a stroke than women who did not take them.
„Many readers may find it strange that recently published research (2011) indicates that women who took calcium supplements to prevent osteoporosis were more likely to develop arterial calcification, have a heart attack, or have a stroke than women who did not take calcium supplements.”Dla wielu czytelników dziwnym wyda się fakt, że niedawno opublikowane badania (2011) wskazują, że kobiety, które brały suplementy wapnia, po to, żeby zapobiec osteoporozie były bardziej narażone na wytworzenie zwapnień w tętnicach, zawał serca czy udar mózgu, niż kobiety, które suplementów wapnia nie brały.
Jerzy Zięba
Jerzy Zięba says that three other studies confirmed the reported association.
„THREE more studies confirmed this. The famous US agency responsible for disease prevention (the US Preventive Services Task Force) went so far as to clearly recommend that women stop taking calcium preparations if they take them to prevent bone fractures, because after analyzing 137 studies, researchers concluded that there is no clear evidence that calcium prevents bone fractures.”Jeszcze TRZY inne badania to potwierdziły. Słynna amerykańska agencja do spraw związanych z zapobieganiem chorobom (the US. Preventive Services Task Force) wyraźnie wręcz zaleciła, żeby kobiety przestały brać preparaty wapnia, jeśli biorą je w celu uniknięcia złamań kości, ponieważ po analizie 137 badań naukowcy doszli do wniosku, że nie ma jednoznacznego dowodu na to, że wapń zapobiega złamaniom kości.
Jan Jaśkowski
Jan Jaśkowski recommends not taking extra calcium to avoid soft-tissue calcification, including in the blood vessels.
„Remember to take vitamin D supplements with vitamin K2 to avoid soft-tissue calcification, including in the blood vessels. For this reason, you should NOT take extra calcium supplements.”Należy pamiętać aby witaminę D suplementować z witaminą K2, aby uniknąć zwapnienia tkanek miękkich w tym naczyń krwionośnych. Z tego też powodu NIE należy suplementować dodatkowo wapnia.
Jerzy Jaśkowski
Jerzy Jaśkowski describes atherosclerotic plaque as lime, and cholesterol as a kind of covering for it.
„Atherosclerotic plaque is lime, and cholesterol can be compared to rubber. If someone wants to connect heart attacks with atherosclerotic plaque, they should fight the lime, and there are no drugs that lower lime levels.
In my medical practice, I have many examples of patients who, after a heart attack, took a tablet, and if there was no significant improvement, took a second one an hour later, and everything was fine.”Blaszka miażdżycowa to wapno, a cholesterol można porównać do kauczuku. Jeśli ktoś chce połączyć zawały i blaszkę miażdżycową, to powinien zwalczać wapno, a nie ma leków obniżających poziom wapna.
W swojej praktyce lekarskiej mam wiele przykładów, gdzie pacjent po zawale wziął tabletkę i jeśli nie nastąpiła znacząca poprawa, to po godzinie brał drugą i było wszystko w porządku.
Thomas E. Levy
Thomas E. Levy writes that excess calcium in the body is common, and that magnesium may limit how much calcium cells take up.
„Calcium deficiency is common in aged bone, but, contrary to what many doctors and supplement users believe, there is really no such thing as a body-wide calcium deficiency—only normal levels, which are rare, and excess, which is very common.
So what does magnesium do for us?
Just like the class of prescription drugs known as calcium channel blockers, magnesium appears to be able to block calcium channels. By blocking these channels, which extend across cell membranes, magnesium limits the amount of calcium that cells would otherwise take up—effectively lowering the intracellular calcium concentrations in cells throughout the body.”Deficiency of calcium is common in aged bone, but, in contrast to what is believed by many docs and supplement takers, there really is no such thing as a body-wide deficiency of calcium, only normalcy, which is rare, and excess, which is very common.
So what does magnesium do for us?
Just like the class of prescription drugs known as calcium channel blockers, magnesium appears to have the ability to block calcium channels. This ability to block these channels that extend across the cell membranes results in a limitation of the calcium quantity that would otherwise be taken up by the cells – effectively lowering the intracellular concentrations of calcium in the cells throughout the body.
Thomas E. Levy
Thomas E. Levy links the effects of magnesium to benefits for atherosclerosis, but does not explicitly say that calcium tablets clog arteries.
„Largely because of this effect on excess calcium inside the body's cells, supplemental magnesium has been documented to be beneficial in asthma, eclampsia, migraines, hypertension, convulsive disorders, stroke, atherosclerosis, acute myocardial infarction, and inflammation in general.”Largely because of this effect on excess calcium inside the cells of the body, supplemental magnesium has been documented to be beneficial in asthma, eclampsia, migraines, hypertension, convulsive disorders, stroke, atherosclerosis, acute myocardial infarction, and inflammation in general.
Thomas E. Levy
Thomas E. Levy again says that excess calcium in the body is common and that magnesium limits how much calcium cells take up.
„Calcium deficiency is common in aged bone, but, contrary to what many doctors and supplement users believe, there is really no such thing as a body-wide calcium deficiency—only normal levels, which are rare, and excess, which is very common.
So what does magnesium do for us?
Just like the class of prescription drugs known as calcium channel blockers, magnesium appears to be able to block calcium channels. By blocking these channels, which extend across cell membranes, magnesium limits the amount of calcium that cells would otherwise take up—effectively lowering the intracellular calcium concentrations in cells throughout the body.”Deficiency of calcium is common in aged bone, but, in contrast to what is believed by many doctors and supplement takers, there really is no such thing as a body-wide deficiency of calcium, only normalcy, which is rare, and excess, which is very common.
So what does magnesium do for us?
Just like the class of prescription drugs known as calcium channel blockers, magnesium appears to have the ability to block calcium channels. This ability to block these channels that extend across the cell membranes results in a limitation of the calcium quantity that would otherwise be taken up by the cells – effectively lowering the intracellular concentrations of calcium in the cells throughout the body.
Thomas E. Levy
Thomas E. Levy lists atherosclerosis among the conditions that magnesium may benefit, but does not explicitly state that calcium tablets clog arteries.
„Largely because of this effect on excess calcium inside the body's cells, supplemental magnesium has been documented to be beneficial in asthma, eclampsia, migraines, hypertension, convulsive disorders, stroke, atherosclerosis, acute myocardial infarction, and inflammation in general.”Largely because of this effect on excess calcium inside the cells of the body, supplemental magnesium has been documented to be beneficial in asthma, eclampsia, migraines, hypertension, convulsive disorders, stroke, atherosclerosis, acute myocardial infarction, and inflammation in general.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 2 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 176.
An observational study found that calcium supplement use was associated with a higher risk of developing coronary artery calcification.
Aim of the study: Recent randomized data suggest that calcium supplements may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Using a longitudinal cohort study, we assessed the association between calcium intake from both foods and supplements and atherosclerosis, as measured by coronary artery calcification (CAC).
Results: We studied 5448 adults without clinically diagnosed CVD (52% female; aged 45–84 years) from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Baseline total calcium intake was assessed from diet (using a food frequency questionnaire) and calcium supplements (by a medication inventory) and categorized into quintiles. Baseline CAC was measured by computed tomography, and CAC measurements were repeated in 2742 participants approximately 10 years later. At baseline, mean calcium intakes across quintiles were 313.3, 540.3, 783.0, 1168.9, and 2157.4 mg/day. Women had higher calcium intakes than men. After adjustment for potential confounders, among 1567 participants without baseline CAC, the relative risk (RR) of developing new CAC over 10 years, by calcium intake quintiles 1 to 5, was 1 (reference), 0.95 (0.79–1.14), 1.02 (0.85–1.23), 0.86 (0.69–1.05), and 0.73 (0.57–0.93).
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · NHLBI NIH HHS, NCATS NIH HHS, NINDS NIH HHS
Do the authors have ties to companies?yes — the authors reported it
Did a manufacturer help with the study?YES
Type of studyobservation of people
Participants5 448
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In mice with a pseudoxanthoma model, calcium and vitamin D supplementation worsened arterial calcification.
Results: At 6 months, although vitamin D and/or calcium did not significantly increase serum calcium levels, vitamin D and calcium supplementation significantly worsened aorta and renal artery calcification in Abcc6-/- mice. Vitamin D and/or calcium supplementation accelerate vascular calcification in a murine model of PXE. These results sound a warning regarding the use of these supplements in PXE patients and, more broadly, in patients with low systemic pyrophosphate levels.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studyanimal study
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„At the center of an arterial plaque sits a hard calcification that contains calcium carbonate. Around this calcified nucleus, the plaque develops with fat deposits and a fibrous cap. In many cases, the plaque can be reversed with excellent nutrition. Considering the media attention given to statins, it's quite remarkable to learn that they reduce the risk of death from CVD by less than 1 percent. In contrast, in clinical trials involving over 8,000 patients over 6 years, high-dose niacin (3,000 mg daily) reduced mortality by 11%. And this lower risk was recorded 15 years after the clinical trial ended!”At the center of an arterial plaque sits a hard calcification that contains calcium carbonate. Around this calcified nucleus, the plaque develops with fat deposits and a fibrous cap. In many cases the plaque can be reversed with excellent nutrition. Considering the media attention given to statins, it's quite remarkable to learn that they only reduce the risk of mortality from CVD by less than 1 percent. In contrast, in clinical trials involving over 8,000 patients over 6 years, high dose niacin (3,000 mg daily) reduced mortality by 11%. And this lowered risk was tabulated 15 years after the clinical trial ended!
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„[6] One-third of Americans over the age of 45 have CT-detected arterial calcification. [66] Coronary heart disease is associated with osteoporosis. [67] Aortic calcification is associated with osteoporosis. [68] Calcium supplements promote coronary calcium deposition. A recent large 10-year study of 5448 subjects in the United States found that calcium supplementation was 22% more likely to be associated with positive CAC (coronary calcium index) results than no supplementation.”[6] One-third of Americans over the age of 45 have CT-detected arterial calcification. [66] Coronary heart disease is associated with osteoporosis. [67] Aortic calcification is associated with osteoporosis. [68] Calcium supplements promote coronary calcium deposition. A recent 10-year large study of 5448 subjects in the United States found that calcium supplementation was 22% more likely to be positive for CAC (coronary calcium index) than those who did not.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Cardiovascular Health: The combination of vitamins D and K2 may also benefit cardiovascular health by preventing arterial calcification. Vitamin K2 activates matrix GLA protein (MGP), which inhibits calcification of the arteries. This protective effect is particularly important because vitamin D alone may not provide the same level of protection against arterial calcification (63,64). Immune Function: Both vitamins are involved in supporting immune function. Vitamin D enhances the immune response, while vitamin K2 has been shown to modulate inflammation.”Cardiovascular Health: The combination of vitamins D and K2 may also benefit cardiovascular health by preventing arterial calcification. Vitamin K2 activates matrix GLA protein (MGP), which inhibits the calcification of arteries. This protective effect is particularly important as vitamin D alone may not provide the same level of protection against arterial calcification (63,64). Immune Function: Both vitamins are implicated in supporting immune function. Vitamin D enhances the immune response, while vitamin K2 has been shown to modulate inflammation.
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