Calcium Supplements and Women’s Health

There has been much debate in the medical community over calcium supplements as they relate to women’s health. Many medical professionals believe that most women do not get an adequate daily intake of calcium from their diets and thus should take a daily calcium supplements. Others feel that calcium supplements are not needed and may even be harmful if taken in high doses.

A recent study published in the Brittish Medical Journal (BMJ), found that women who supplemented their diets with modest amounts of calcium had a lower risk of Primary Hyperparathyroidism. Primary Hyperparathyroidism is an endocrine disorder in which the parathyroid glands produce too much Parathyroid Hormone (PTH). PTH is a hormone produced in the parathyroid glands in the neck which controls calcium, phosphate and Vitamin D levels within the blood and bones.

In this study, researchers tracked more than 58,000 women taking part in the long-running Harvard Nurses Health Study. Every four years, the women were interviewed about their diets and their overall health. Over the 27 years of the study, 277 women were diagnosed with Primary Hyperparathyroidism. The study showed an inverse relationship between the women taking moderate calcium supplements and the diagnoses of Primary Hyperparathyroidism.

Symtoms of PTH include fatigue, depression, and kidney stones. It can also lead to Osteoporosis. If you are concerned that you are not getting enough calcium in your diet, or if you are experiencing the symptoms of Primary Hyperparathyroidism, schedule an appointment with your physician today. Your physician can test your blood levels and determine if you indeed do have this serious condition. Your physician can also help evaluate your diet and make a recommendation based on your specific circumstances.