Mailbag! Stop Taking Calcium Until You Read This

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

You’ve got questions…

We’ve got answers!

Today, we are going to address something we get a lot of reader mail about — the healthiest (and only) way to take calcium.

Let’s get started…

Dear Natalie, 

I’ve been taking calcium for years because I want to keep healthy bones. But recently, a member of my walking group said she read that taking calcium can cause dementia in some women. Do you know if this is true? If so, is there a way to take calcium without risking dementia?

Thanks, 

Bev K. 

Thanks for the great question, Bev.

Believe it or not, your friend is correct. But that doesn’t mean you need to completely stop taking calcium.

You just need to change how you’re taking it. Let me explain…

A recent study shows that women who suffer from cerebrovascular disease are up to seven times more likely to suffer from dementia when taking a calcium supplement.

Cerebrovascular disease occurs when blood vessels in the brain become blocked by fat or cholesterol. This loss of blood flow can damage the brain and lead to dangerous conditions like dementia or stroke.

For the study, researchers followed a group of dementia-free women ages 70–92 for a five-year period. Over the course of the study, the researchers monitored their use of calcium supplements and tracked whether they were diagnosed with dementia.

That’s how scientists found dementia risk increased by about sevenfold in women with cerebrovascular disease when taking calcium supplements.

Now, I know this may be a lot different from everything you’ve heard about calcium before. Millions of women just like you are taking calcium every day to protect their bones.

But when calcium enters your body, it needs helpers to get to your bones and not your arteries, where it can create potentially dangerous blockages that can affect everything from your heart to your brain.

These helpers are vitamins D3 and K2. Vitamin K2 helps direct calcium into your bones and away from your arteries, and vitamin D3 helps your bones absorb it.

This means taking this powerful nutrient combo can help keep your arteries clear and your bones strong. If you’re taking calcium — and want to continue — it’s critical to add vitamins D3 and K2 to the mix.

Do you have supplement questions? Write me: nmoore@lfb.org

Live well,

Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily

Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: nmoore@lfb.org – and click here to like us on Facebook.


Sources

[1] Calcium supplementation and risk of dementia in women with cerebrovascular disease.

Natalie Moore

Written By Natalie Moore

Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.

View More Free Articles

Nutrient Fix for Deadly "Orphan Condition"

Venous thromboembolism is what I call an “orphan condition.” The chances are high that you’ve never even heard of it before. But we should discuss it more often because it’s underdiagnosed, SERIOUS, and preventable. A (VTE) happens when a blood clot forms in a vein. When that clot is in a DEEP vein (usually in...

Read This

"Liquid Gold" Packs a Powerful Healing Punch

Bone broth has popped up on grocery store shelves nationwide in the last few years. And I couldn’t be happier about it! I love to drink bone broth. But I used to have to make my own “liquid gold.” And to be honest… it’s time-consuming. Now, you can pop down to your local supermarket and...

Read This

Diabetes Risk PLUMMETS with THIS Vitamin

I’ve got to be honest with you. When it comes to health, the future is looking a bit grim. If you’re no spring chicken, a tsunami of poor health could be headed your way. Recent research has found that 25 percent of people over 65 ALREADY have diabetes. But it gets worse. Over 50 percent...

Read This

MAILBAG: Exercise AFTER a Heart Attack?

“My wife had a heart attack a few months ago. She’s sitting around and doing even less than she did before. I’m a regular reader and know you’ve mentioned moving is important for heart attack patients. What are some safe things she can do to keep moving? How much should she move?” – Rob from...

Read This

Olive Oil Compound WOWS Researchers

Olive oil has been getting some well-deserved attention the last few years. So it would be easy to assume that the golden oil’s status as a health food was recently earned. But the truth is, olive oil has been considered a healthy staple in the human diet since it was first developed 600 years ago....

Read This

NEW Medicinal Mushroom Benefit UNCOVERED

I’m a big fan of medicinal mushrooms. Almost everyone has eaten a standard mushroom on a pizza or in a spaghetti sauce, of course. But most folks have yet to experience medical mushrooms’ power to improve our health. Medicinal mushrooms are already used to treat heart, liver, and brain conditions. They can boost the immune...

Read This

[SENIORS] Cellular GLITCH Discovered?!

Aging isn’t for sissies, that’s for sure. But hey, I always remind myself the alternative is FAR worse! Besides, when you sit back and take stock, you’ll realize that a life well lived – like your own – is something to be proud of. But those accomplishments, unfortunately, don’t reduce your risk of suffering the...

Read This

Overlooked Diabetes Risk Drives Up Blood Sugar

If you’re concerned about diabetes, you’ve probably done your research. You likely focused on all the common problem areas to ward off rising blood sugar: the grocery store… the gym… and the bathroom scale. And those ARE all great places to start! Eating better, exercising, and losing weight can go a long way toward bringing your...

Read This

Boredom BUSTING Hack Keeps You Sane AND Healthy

This time of year, I start to feel a little stir-crazy. Cabin fever sets in as I tire of the cold and snow. And I start thinking about the warmer weather that’s right around the corner (but still feels SO far away). You see, I enjoy walking, hiking, and running outside. It’s good for both...

Read This

Loneliness Linked to THIS Startling Side Effect

Before the pandemic, we didn’t talk much about being lonely. But when the virus locked us down in our homes, the issue of isolation could no longer be ignored. Some of us were experiencing that kind of loneliness for the first time. But the truth is social isolation has ALWAYS been a common problem for...

Read This