Are Calcium Supplements Bad for You?

An LA Times health article summarizes a British Medical Journal (BMJ) article and concludes that widespread use of calcium supplements may increase heart attack risk. A rebuttal article from the original report in the BMJ is also discussed with the conclusion that the meta-analysis from the article has limitations and that the analysis should not dissuade consumers from taking calcium supplements. Women should talk with their physicians about their current and long-term needs and discuss how much calcium they are getting in their diets and supplement accordingly in combination with vitamin D.