Study Says Calcium Supplements Don't Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk

Research published in the journal Evidence-Based Nursing determined that calcium supplements didn't reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in postmenopausal women. But, I'd recommend taking a closer look at the study before cleaning out your cupboard.

Overview of the Study

Researchers analyzed data from about 36,000 women ages 50 to 79. Half of the women received a placebo (sugar pill) and half received supplements containing 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium and 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D.

After following the women's progress for approximately seven years, researchers determined that supplementation with calcium and vitamin D didn't reduce colorectal cancer risk.

But…

Calcium comes in different forms, some of which are more readily absorbed by the body than others. The researchers in this study provided participants with calcium carbonate rather than a more absorbable form like calcium citrate or calcium citrate malate.

So, while this study may demonstrate that 1,000 mg of calcium carbonate doesn't decrease colorectal cancer risk, it doesn't put the kibosh on the potential benefit of other calcium supplements.

If you're uncertain if calcium supplements are appropriate for you, a doctor or nutritionist should be able to help you decide. You may also find the calcium screening quiz (prepared by About's Guide to Nutrition) helpful.

For more information about preventing colon cancer, please read the Top 10 Colon Cancer Prevention Tips.

Related Journal Articles:

• Dairy Foods, Calcium, and Colorectal Cancer: A Pooled Analysis of 10 Cohort Studies
• Intakes of Calcium and Vitamin D and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Women
• Milk Consumption and Calcium Intake Associated with Lower Colorectal Cancer Risk

Sources:

1. Calcium Citrate Shown to Have Superior Bioavailability and Protects Against Bone Loss Medscape Medical News. 21 Nov. 2000. 28 Sep. 2006 [http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/412220].
2. Calcium: Which Form is Best? Truestar Health Encyclopedia. 28 Sep. 2006 [http://www.truestarhealth.com/Notes/2819007.html].
3. Davis, B. and Melina, V. Becoming Vegan: The Complete Guide to Adopting a Healthy Plant-Based Diet. Book Publishing Company, 2000.
4. Jackson, R. and LaCroix, A. "Calcium Plus Vitamin D Did Not Prevent Fractures or Colorectal Cancer in Postmenopausal Women." Evidence-Based Nursing 9 (2006): 114. 28 Sep. 2006.