A studypublished recently in the British Medical Journal suggests women who have a diet high in calcium and who also take a daily calcium supplement of more than 1,400 milligrams are at higher risk of death from heart disease. The Swedish study analyzed data from more than 61,000 women over a 19-year period.
Dr. John Bisognano, professor of medicine in the cardiology division at the University of Rochester, says this was an observational study and more rigorous research is required before a firm link can be established between high calcium intake and heart disease. He recommends that women speak to their physicians about how much calcium they're getting in their daily diet and whether a supplement is still needed.
The U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements recommends 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day for most adults.