Calcium supplements do not increase the risk of dementia in older women, say researchers from Edith Cowan University, Curtin University and the University of Western Australia. The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health — Western Pacific, dispels previous concerns that calcium could negatively affect brain function.
The study involved 1,460 women, half of whom took calcium supplements for five years, while the rest took a placebo. After 14 years of follow-up, the researchers found no difference in dementia rates between the groups. The association remained even after controlling for factors such as diet, physical activity, genetics, and general health.
The researchers said the findings support the safety of calcium supplements, which are often prescribed to prevent osteoporosis. About 20 percent of women over 70 suffer from the condition, and regular calcium intake remains an important part of treatment.
The authors emphasize that further research will help to understand whether these findings extend to men and younger age groups, but for now, the results give doctors and patients confidence that calcium is safe for the brain when taken long-term.
