title: Calcium supplements: do they help or harm?
abstract: Current recommendations for calcium intake call for 1,000 mg per day for women ages 19-50 and 1,200 mg per day for women over age 50 to ensure bone health. Given recent concerns that calcium supplements may raise risk for cardiovascular disease and kidney stones, women should aim to meet this recommendation primarily by eating a calcium-rich diet and taking calcium supplements only if needed to reach the RDA goal (often only approximately 500 mg per day in supplements is required).
authors.affiliation: From the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Joann E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Manson
authors.forename: Shari S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Bassuk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002118:Calcium / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D012307:Risk Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium