Many people know about the relationship between calcium and calcium and how important it is for bone health and bone growth. But a lesser-known benefit of this nutrient is that it’s important for blood clotting and may lower blood pressure, it says. Melissa Presto, DCN, RDNnational media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; prevention medical review committee. Vitamin D is also important for bone health and for regulating the amount of calcium your body needs, she added. “Vitamin D has been reported to play a role in supporting lung function, cardiovascular health, insulin regulation and glucose metabolism, and immune health.”

Several the study Presto said they found that lower blood levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Calcium may also reduce the risk of some cancers, such as colorectal cancer, she notes. Still, “the evidence examining the relationship between dietary or supplemental calcium and cancer risk is mixed,” Presto explains.

So why are these results important? Oncologists; Balmea. “Many women are afraid to take the medication or are unable to complete the five-year course due to bone health concerns. “It’s important to consider options such as vitamin D/calcium supplementation so that we can provide it to people in the world,” she explains.

This study corroborated the findings of other studies regarding reduced cancer risk and increased cardiovascular risk with calcium and vitamin D supplements, Presto said. “However, the authors report that there are several limitations to their study and findings, so calcium and vitamin D supplementation may not be appropriate for postmenopausal women with heart disease. We can’t say categorically that there is.” Further research is needed to understand the association between calcium and vitamin D supplementation and cardiovascular risk, she notes.

Dr. Shetty also points out that given the study design, it is not possible to distinguish between the benefits of calcium and vitamin D when used individually versus when used together. “Many people may be taking calcium or vitamin D, but not both, so they may not get the same benefits as the study participants,” she notes. do.

conclusion

So are vitamin D or calcium supplements right for you? Typically, we want to reserve supplements for people who cannot meet their own needs. food source Alternatively, it could be suitable for people who have a deficiency and need additional supplementation, Presto says.

That said, Dr. Shetty suggests that everyone should consult their doctor to discuss the individual risks and benefits of adding vitamin D and calcium supplements.People at high risk of developing the disease osteopenia (lower bone density and weaker bones, but not low enough to meet criteria for osteoporosis) or osteoporosis (a bone disease that develops when bone density and mass decreases), says Keri, a registered dietitian, registered dietitian, and registered dietitian, who recommends taking supplements after consulting with your doctor. Gans said. small change diet. “Risk factors include being of Caucasian or Asian descent, small body size, family history of osteoporosis, postmenopause, and a history of amenorrhea (absence of menstruation),” she explains.

Dietary supplements are products intended to supplement your diet. These are not medicines and are not intended to treat, diagnose, alleviate, prevent, or cure any disease. Use caution when taking dietary supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, be careful about giving supplements to children unless recommended by a health care provider.

Madeleine preventionAn associate editor at , she has a background in health writing from her time as an editorial assistant at WebMD and her personal research in college. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscience, and she helps people develop strategies for success in any field. preventionsocial media platforms.