Calcium supplements Not Linked to Increased Dementia Risk in Older Women, Research Finds
New research from Edith Cowan University (ECU), Curtin University, and the University of Western Australia offers reassuring news: taking calcium supplements does not appear to increase the risk of developing dementia in older women. The findings address previous concerns about potential harmful effects of calcium on brain health.
The study, analyzing data from a five-year clinical trial involving 1,460 women, showed no increased likelihood of dementia among those who received calcium supplements compared to those who received a placebo.
“Calcium supplements are often recommended to prevent or manage osteoporosis,” explains ECU PhD student Negar Ghasemifard. With approximately 20% of women over 70 living with osteoporosis, calcium is a common suggestion for preventing bone fractures. “Our study provides reassurance to patients and clinicians regarding the safety of calcium supplements in the context of dementia risk for older women.”
Researchers, led by ECU Senior research Fellow Dr. Marc Sim, found the results held true even after accounting for factors like diet, lifestyle, genetics, and supplement use. Dr. Sim highlights the strength of their study design: “Previous research suggesting a link between calcium and dementia was observational. Our research is a post-hoc analysis from a robust, five-year double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial, offering more accurate data on dosage and duration with a long 14.5-year follow-up.”
While the findings are encouraging, Professor Simon Laws, Director of ECU’s Center for Precision Health, emphasizes the need for further investigation. “Whether these results apply to men, or women starting supplementation earlier in life, is still unknown. Future clinical trials, specifically designed to assess brain health, are needed to confirm these findings and address these gaps.”
Professor Blossom Stephan, Honorary Medical Advisor for Dementia Australia, agrees the research is critically important. “These results provide reassurance that long-term calcium supplementation does not increase dementia risk in older women, given calcium’s critical role in bone health and other physiological functions.”