Yogurt addicts, take note: High dietary calcium intake may be associated with increased mortality in women, according to a new study published in the British Medical Journal.
Researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden followed more than 61,000 women for an average of 19 years to test the link between calcium and mortality, gathering data from the Swedish Cause of Death Registry and the Swedish Mammography Cohort. Although women with very low calcium intake (less than 600 mg/day) saw an increased risk of death, the most shocking finding was women with a high calcium intake (more than 1400 mg/day) were more than twice as likely to die as those who consumed between 600 and 999 mg/day. The risk increased further for women noshing on calcium-rich foods while also taking supplements.
While it’s important to stay between 600 mg of calcium per day and 1400 mg/day, where your calcium comes from is also key. This week, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommended against taking calcium and Vitamin D supplements unless you have a deficiency.
“There is no scientific proof that calcium strengthens bones or prevents osteoporosis,” says endocrinologist Scott Isaacs, MD, clinical instructor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine. “This is probably a change from what you have read or heard in the past.”
Of course, you shouldn’t nix calcium altogether. It’s still important for several physiological processes, like regulating hormones and maintaining muscles. For women ages 19 to 50, the RDA is 1,000 mg. Aim to hit that number by eating foods like dairy, tofu, kale, and broccoli—but do your math.
“Be aware of calcium in the various foods you eat,” Isaaacs says. If you tend to drink a lot of milk or eat calcium-fortified cereal, you may want to scale back. Unsure about any food’s calcium content? Check out the USDA’s nutrient database.
More from Women’s Health:
Daily Vitamins: Don’t Overload Your System
Calcium Sources You Need To Include
The Best Milk For Your Health
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