A recent study published in The Lancet Regional Health — Western Pacific confirms that calcium supplements do not increase the risk of dementia in older women, challenging a widely held belief.
New research has challenged a long-held belief: calcium supplements do not increase the risk of dementia in older women. This conclusion comes from scientists at Edith Cowan University, Curtin University, and the University of Western Australia. The study, published in the prestigious journal The Lancet Regional Health — Western Pacific, effectively dispels previous concerns regarding the potential negative impact of calcium on brain function.
Key Findings of the Study
The extensive study involved 1460 women. For five years, half of the participants received calcium supplements, while the other group was given a placebo. After 14 years of follow-up, specialists found no statistically significant differences in the incidence of dementia between the two groups. This lack of correlation persisted even after carefully accounting for additional factors such as diet, physical activity levels, genetic predisposition, and the participants` overall health status.
Implications for Health and Treatment
According to the study authors, these findings convincingly affirm the safety of calcium supplements, which are widely prescribed for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Given that approximately one in five women over 70 suffers from osteoporosis, regular calcium intake plays a crucial role in their treatment strategy and maintaining bone health.
The researchers emphasize the necessity of further studies to determine if these conclusions apply to men and younger age groups. Nevertheless, these current results already provide both medical professionals and patients with confidence that long-term calcium intake is safe for brain cognitive functions.
Related Research on Dementia
As an interesting additional note, other research groups previously managed to reverse Alzheimer`s disease in laboratory mice for the first time by utilizing nanoparticles that acted as standalone therapeutic agents.
