Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Calcium Supplements Fail to Protect Pregnant Women from Bone Loss

Calcium supplements did not protect pregnant women from bone loss. This new study comes on the heels of a controversial analysis showing that calcium pills increased the risk of heart attacks among older people. Although the evidence that calcium supplementation strengthens bones is modest, tens of millions of women have been popping down calcium in the belief that it would protect them against osteoporosis without negative consequences. The recent analysis in the journal BMJ suggests that assumption may not be valid.
The latest challenge to calcium’s benefits comes from the Gambia. Researchers randomly assigned women to take either 1500 mg of calcium carbonate or a placebo daily during pregnancy. The supplements were continued up to delivery. These women normally had low levels of calcium in their diets, so the scientists expected that the supplements would protect them from bone loss. Pregnancy puts extra demands on calcium stores to help build new bones in the baby. Contrary to expectation, however, the women who got extra calcium had lower bone mineral content than those on placebo. The investigators speculate that calcium pills disrupted normal adaptation to pregnancy and nursing.
[American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Aug, 2010]

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
0- 0 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.