Findings from a study of 6,172 older individuals revealed a reduced risk of premature death from all causes, from cardiovascular disease, and from cancer, among people with a greater intake of calcium from food, dietary additions such as capsules or tablets, or total combined sources, compared with a low intake during a median period of 81 months.

The study included men and women who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2018. The current study evaluated the effects of low, middle or high calcium intake as obtained from the diet, added nutrients, or combined calcium sources. Individuals in the middle or high calcium intake groups had lower adjusted risks of mortality from cancer, cardiovascular disease or all-causes during a median 81-month follow-up compared with the group that had the lowest intake.

In a separate dose-response analysis, Ran Chen and colleagues determined that “the intake levels corresponding to lower all-cause mortality risk were 1379-2764 mg/day for total calcium, 857-2333 mg/day for dietary calcium, and 401-1233 mg/day for [tablets or capsules of] calcium. Notably, these findings closely align with the 2011 Institute of Medicine report, which recommends a total calcium intake range of 1000-1200 mg/day to 2000-2500 mg/day for U.S. adults.”¹

The study findings were reported November 12, 2024, in the Archives of Osteoporosis.