Vitamin D and calcium supplementation might scale back threat of most cancers however improve threat of heart problems, new examine reveals.The examine, which checked out postmenopausal ladies, confirmed that the mixture of dietary supplements had no impact on loss of life from any trigger.Consultants clarify the findings.Calcium and vitamin D dietary supplements are sometimes advisable for postmenopausal ladies to stop bone loss. New analysis reveals that it might do much more, lowering the danger of most cancers. However, may it additionally improve the danger of heart problems? A examine printed in Annals of Inner Drugs analyzed knowledge from the Ladies’s Well being Initiative trial, which seemed into the results of taking calcium and vitamin D dietary supplements in additional than 36,000 postmenopausal ladies. Researchers discovered that taking calcium and vitamin D dietary supplements lowered a girl’s long-term threat of dying from most cancers by 7%, however elevated the danger of loss of life as a result of coronary heart illness by 6%. The examine additionally discovered that general, the mixture of dietary supplements had no vital impact on early loss of life general. Many individuals know the hyperlink between calcium and the way it’s essential for bone well being and bone progress. However, a lesser-known advantage of the nutrient is that it’s essential for blood clotting and will decrease blood stress, says Melissa Prest, D.C.N., R.D.N., nationwide media spokesperson for the Academy of Diet and Dietetics and member of the Prevention Medical Evaluate Board. Vitamin D can also be essential for bone well being and regulating how a lot calcium is required by the physique, she provides. “Vitamin D has been reported to play a task in supporting lung perform, cardiovascular well being, insulin regulation and glucose metabolism, and immune well being.”Some analysis has discovered that low blood ranges of vitamin D are related to an elevated threat of heart problems, says Prest. Additionally, calcium might scale back the danger of some cancers like colorectal most cancers, she notes. Nonetheless, “the proof exploring the connection between dietary calcium or supplemental calcium and the danger of most cancers is combined,” Prest explains. So, why are these outcomes essential? Oncologists prescribe a category of medicine known as Aromatase Inhibitors (known as anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane) taken every day for 5 years to stop breast most cancers recurrence in sure ladies, says Madhu Shetti, M.D., oncologist and founding father of Balmere. “Many ladies are scared to take the medication, or they don’t end the 5 12 months course due to bone well being issues. It’s important to contemplate choices like vitamin D/calcium supplementation so we may give everybody the very best probability to guard their bone well being and stop most cancers recurrence,” she explains.This examine confirmed findings from different research regarding lowering most cancers threat and growing cardiovascular threat from calcium and vitamin D dietary supplements, says Prest. “Nonetheless, the authors did report that their examine and findings had some limitations so we can’t blanketly say that supplementation of calcium and vitamin D will not be acceptable in post-menopausal ladies with coronary heart illness.” Extra exploration is required to know the affiliation between calcium and vitamin D supplementation and cardiovascular threat, she notes. Dr. Shetti additionally factors out that given the examine design, we’re unable to differentiate the advantages of calcium and Vitamin D individually versus collectively. “Many people might take calcium or vitamin D however not each, so they might not have the identical advantages as examine contributors,” she notes.The underside lineSo, is a vitamin D or calcium complement best for you? Usually, we need to reserve supplementation for people who find themselves unable to fulfill their wants via meals sources or those that are poor and want the additional enhance from a complement, says Prest. That stated, each particular person ought to converse with their doctor and focus on their particular person dangers and advantages for including vitamin D and/or calcium dietary supplements, suggests Dr. Shetti. People at the next threat for growing osteopenia (a lack of bone density that weakens bones however not low sufficient to fulfill the standards for osteoporosis) or osteoporosis (a bone illness that develops when bone density and bone mass decreases) might think about supplementation after discussing with their physician, notes Keri Gans, M.S., R.D., registered dietitian and writer of The Small Change Food plan. “Danger elements embrace white or Asian descent, smaller physique body, household historical past of osteoporosis, post-menopausal, and historical past of amenorrhea (absence of menstruation),” she explains.Dietary dietary supplements are merchandise meant to complement the eating regimen. They aren’t medicines and should not meant to deal with, diagnose, mitigate, stop, or remedy ailments. Be cautious about taking dietary dietary supplements if you’re pregnant or nursing. Additionally, watch out about giving dietary supplements to a toddler, until advisable by their healthcare supplier.Associated StoriesMadeleine, Prevention’s assistant editor, has a historical past with well being writing from her expertise as an editorial assistant at WebMD, and from her private analysis at college. She graduated from the College of Michigan with a level in biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscience—and she or he helps strategize for achievement throughout Prevention’s social media platforms.