Elevated brain lesion volumes in older adults who use calcium supplements: a cross-sectional clinical observational study.
Recent studies have implicated Ca supplements in vascular risk elevation, and therefore these supplements may also be associated with the occurrence of brain lesions (or hyperintensities) in older adults. These lesions represent damage to brain tissue that is caused by ischaemia. In the present cross-sectional clinical observational study, the association between Ca-containing dietary supplement use and lesion volumes was investigated in a sample of 227 older adults (60 years and above). Food and supplemental Ca intakes were assessed with the Block 1998 FFQ; participants with supplemental Ca intake above zero were categorised as supplement users. Lesion volumes were determined from cranial MRI (1.5 tesla) scans using a semi-automated technique; volumes were log-transformed because they were non-normal. ANCOVA models revealed that supplement users had greater lesion volumes than non-users, even after controlling for food Ca intake, age, sex, race, years of education, energy intake, depression and hypertension (Ca supplement use: β = 0.34, SE 0.10, F(1,217)= 10.98, P= 0.0011). The influence of supplemental Ca use on lesion volume was of a magnitude similar to that of the influence of hypertension, a well-established risk factor for lesions. Among the supplement users, the amount of supplemental Ca was not associated with lesion volume (β = - 0.000035, SE 0.00 015, F(1,139)= 0.06, P= 0.81). The present study demonstrates that the use of Ca-containing dietary supplements, even low-dose supplements, by older adults may be associated with greater lesion volumes. Evaluation of randomised controlled trials is warranted to determine whether this relationship is a causal one.
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,Duke University,2200 West Main Street, Suite B210,Durham,NC27705,USA.
Martha E
ME
Payne
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,Duke University,2200 West Main Street, Suite B210,Durham,NC27705,USA.
Douglas R
DR
McQuoid
Department of Psychiatry,University of Connecticut Health Center,Farmington,CT,USA.
David C
DC
Steffens
Department of Nutrition,Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina,Chapel Hill,NC,USA.
John J B
JJ
Anderson
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D002136:Calcium, Dietary