Risk For Certain Colon Cancers Lowered With Proper Levels Of Calcium Intake
Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health have found that among people with low-calcium diets, a small increase in the mineral appears to lower the risk of certain types of colon cancer by about 50%. The diet and colon cancer history of 135,000 men and women were evaluated and the findings showed that those who consumed 700 to 800 milligrams of calcium daily significantly reduced their risk of left-side colon cancer by 40 to 50 percent. Monika Kraus, an oncology dietician at the Washington Hospital Center said the study is important because it suggests that adequate calcium in the diet has a benefit beyond building bones.
Source: www.intelihealth.com, March 21, 2002.
Bone Loss Reduced By Calcium And Vitamin D Supplementation
According to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine an inadequate dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D may contribute to a high prevalence of osteoporosis among the elderly. For three years, 176 men and 213 women 65 years of age or older received either calcium plus vitamin D per day or a placebo. Using a variety of tests to measure bone mineral density throughout the trial, it was determined that dietary supplementation with calcium and vitamin D moderately reduced bone loss in the femoral neck, spine and total body. There was also a reduction in the incidence of nonvertebral fractures.
Source: The New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 337, pages 670-676
Ladies' Home Journal Asks, "Is Your Family Getting Enough Calcium?"
In its March issue, Ladies' Home Journal lets us know that according to the U.S. Department Agriculture, about 75 percent of Americans are not getting enough calcium. Also, according to Susan Barr, Ph.D., professor of nutrition at the University of Columbia, "Less than 10 percent of women ages 19 to 50 consume the daily recommendation of 1,000 milligrams".
Source: Ladies' Home Journal, March 2003.
Athletic Organization Touts Calcium And Vitamin D As One Of The Four Steps To Prevent Osteoporosis
As a means of educating the public on how to prevent osteoporosis, the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) is promoting a comprehensive program composed of four preventative steps. The first step states that one should consume a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. The other steps cover recommendations for weight-bearing exercise, following a healthy lifestyle as well as bone density testing.
Organization Credits Calcium For It's Contribution To Women's Health
The North American Menopause Society, a leading non-profit organization that promotes women's health, has published a consensus opinion stating that adequate amounts of calcium are important for all women, particularly those who are peri- and postmenopausal. The organization arrived at its consensus by reviewing published medical data as well as appointing a panel of recognized calcium experts. Some of the key findings showed that calcium (along with adequate vitamin D) contributed positively to women's skeletal health and blood pressure levels. It also finds that there is some evidence to suggest that it provides some chemo protective properties against colorectal cancer.
Source: www.menopausejournal.com
Postmenopausal Women At Risk Of Osteoporosis
In the largest study of its kind, more than 200,000 postmenopausal women across the United States had their bone densities measured. An astounding 40 percent were found to have low bone density levels, putting them at an increased risk for fracture. Eleven percent of the total group had a history of fracture since age 45 - evidence pointing to the bone weakening disease osteoporosis. However, no diagnosis had been made on any of the participants, nor had anti-osteoporosis treatment been started. For more information, go to the
Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, December 12, 2001.
Two Studies Relate Calcium To Weight Loss
In the first study, conducted at the University of Minnesota, researchers examined the association between calcium intakes and levels of body fat in black and white men and women. In both men's groups, those with the highest intake of calcium were significantly leaner than those with the lowest intake. In white women, those with the highest intake of calcium were also leaner than those with the lowest intake. No significant associations were found in black women.
Source: Journal of Nutrition, Volume 134, pages 1772-1778
In the second study, conducted at Rutgers University, researchers studied 73 women who were either on a weight loss diet or a weight maintenance diet, with either normal or high intakes of calcium. The study lasted a total of 6 weeks. Out of the 57 women who finished the study, those on the weight loss diet taking only normal amounts of calcium exhibited inadequate absorption of the nutrient, which has the possibility of impacting bone mass. The researchers suggested that weight loss programs may be associated with increased calcium requirements to help maintain bone mass. More research is needed to support their suggestion.
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 80, pages 123-130
Calcium Intake Associated With Lower Colorectal Cancer
According to a new study that appears in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, higher consumption of milk and calcium is associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide.
Source: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 96, July 2004
Calcium From Diet And Supplementation May Cut Colon Cancer Risk In Women
According to a recent scientific research study involving women, diets rich in calcium may reduce a women’s risk of colorectal cancer. In addition, the study found that women who also take calcium supplements may cut their risk even more. Further research in this area would help to confirm the value of calcium intake relative to colorectal cancer prevention.
Source: Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, Volume 14, January 2005
Calcium Intake May Impact Body Weight
In a small research study, Danish scientists found some evidence to support that calcium could reduce body weight by binding fat in the intestine and increasing its elimination from the body. This evidence may help explain why a high-calcium diet produces weight loss. Further weight loss trials are needed to test the mechanisms of calcium on weight.
Source: International Journal of Obesity, Volume 29, March 2005
Calcium Supplementation Helps Youngster's Bones
According to the results of a recent human clinical trial, calcium supplementation during childhood and adolescence increases bone mineral density (BMD) in females. The researchers found that calcium supplementation greatly influenced bone accretion in young females during the pubertal growth spurt. They also found that by early adulthood, notable effects remained at metacarpals and as the forearm of tall persons, which showed that the calcium requirement for growth is associated with skeletal size. Researchers think that the results of the trial may be important for both primary prevention of osteoporosis and bone fragility fractures during the growth process. The four-year randomized clinical trial involved 354 pubertal females and was optionally extended for an additional three years. The mean dietary calcium intake of the study participants over age seven was 830 milligrams per day. The subjects that received supplementation got an additional 670 milligrams of calcium per day.
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 81, January 2005