Calcium is widely hailed as the cornerstone of bone health, but when taken as a supplement, scientists suggest it may carry dangers that go far beyond fractures.
A board-certified obstetrician-gynaecologist has issued a stark warning about the dangers lurking in calcium supplements, calling them potentially life-threatening.
Dr Jennifer Ashton took to TikTok to share her concerns, pointing to research that's been known about for some time but deserves more attention.
She said: "This study specifically talks about the ways calcium supplementation can be potentially life-threatening."
The doctor highlighted findings from a meta-analysis showing an eight per cent rise in cardiovascular events for every standard deviation increase in blood calcium levels, with death rates following a similar pattern.
"That means more is not better. In fact, more is a lot worse," she warned.
The higher your blood calcium levels climb, the greater your chances of suffering a heart attack, coronary artery disease, or even death, according to Dr Ashton.
She noted that elevated calcium in the bloodstream, even within what's considered the normal range, brings some worrying consequences.
"Higher circulating calcium levels within the normal range are associated with increased thickness in the major arteries going to your brain and a higher prevalence of abdominal aortic calcification, and more calcified plaques in the coronary arteries," she said.
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Calcium doesn't just stay in your bones where you want it; the effects of taking calcium supplements are immediate and last longer than you might think.
According to Dr Ashton, taking supplemental calcium causes a sudden surge in blood levels that sticks around for roughly eight hours.
"During that eight hours, there's about a five-point increase in blood pressure, there's a change in clotting profile, and there's an increase or propensity for calcification, meaning the calcium deposits in your arteries, none of which do we want," she said.
So while you're going about your day, that supplement is busy raising your blood pressure and potentially encouraging calcium to settle in places it really shouldn't.
When it comes to weighing up the risks against the benefits, Dr Ashton's verdict is that "there is no benefit for the vast majority of women".
She continued that this is particularly true for post-menopausal women, in terms of reducing the risk of a fracture from osteoporosis.
And the downsides extend far beyond cardiovascular problems, as kidney stones and gastrointestinal issues also make the list of potential side effects.
Her advice is to get informed and have a proper chat with your doctor before reaching for that supplement bottle.
"Please be educated and discuss this with your healthcare provider," she urged.
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