Calcium

Meta-analysis supports heart health safety of calcium supplements

24-Oct-2023 By Stephen Daniells

There is “no significant association” between calcium supplementation and increased risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, says a new meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Review: ‘No concern about excess CVD risks associated with calcium supplements’

14-Apr-2023 By Asia Sherman

A recent review published in the journal Current Developments in Nutrition dispels concerns that have swirled around calcium supplementation and the increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Enriched postbiotic calcium may boost mineral bioavailability: RCT

07-Apr-2023

Calcium enriched in a Lactobacillus-based postbiotic system is associated with higher levels of bioavailability as compared to calcium citrate, while a calcium-enriched yeast-based postbiotic does not influence calcium absorption, according to a new study...

Study: Vit K supplements needed to support bone health in IBD patients

03-Apr-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new study confirming that the diet of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients often lacks vitamin D and vitamin K, concludes: “While vitamin D supplementation is the rule, vitamin K shortages need proactive nutritional intervention.”

A century of the sunshine vitamin part I: A look back

10-Feb-2023 By Asia Sherman

On the 100th anniversary of the discovery of vitamin D, Dr. Michael Holick – an endocrinologist who contributed to isolating its active form – revisited the evolution of the sunshine vitamin, tracing its origins to the early oceans.

Hofseth Biocare sees stars starting to align for upcycled ingredients

06-Oct-2022 By Stephen Daniells

With a full suite a successful New Dietary Ingredient Notifications (NDINs) and steady stream of peer-reviewed publications substantiating its claims, Hofseth Biocare (HBC) is feeling bullish about its portfolio of upcycled ingredients.

AlgaeCal partners with OsteoStrong to promote bone building

03-Oct-2022 By Asia Sherman

AlgaeCal will retail its bone-building supplements in OsteoStrong’s membership-based wellness franchises starting this month. The partnership, which AlgaeCal Founder Dean Neuls says “couldn’t be more perfect”, launches in 10 beta locations across the...

Calcium, iron, zinc the most consumed minerals in Japan – Govt-funded survey

30-Aug-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Calcium, iron, zinc are the most consumed minerals in the form of supplements or fortified foods, an online survey funded by the Japanese government found.

CRN disputes wide ranging conclusions drawn from Vitamin D bone health analysis

29-Jul-2022 By Hank Schultz

The Council for Responsible Nutrition says Vitamin D remains an important bone health nutrient despite a recent null study that spurred an article in The New York Times.

Fish bone powder ingredient six times more absorbable than calcium carbonate

26-May-2022 By Liza Laws

A natural form of calcium hydroxyapatite used by Hosfeth in their CalGo supplement comes directly from Atlantic salmon and is six times more absorbable than calcium carbonate, a study has found.

Collagen peptides boost bone health effects of calcium + vitamin D: RCT

05-Jan-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Adding collagen peptides to a regimen of calcium and vitamin D improved measures of bone health compared to calcium +D alone, says a new study from Greece with postmenopausal women with osteopenia.

Vegan women cut hip fracture risk with vit D and calcium supplementation

09-Aug-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Among women, a vegan diet is associated with significantly higher risk of hip fracture but supplementing with both vitamin D and calcium removes this increased risk, according to a new large-scale study.

Heads up: Higher intake of dietary calcium and magnesium may reduce migraine

01-Apr-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

A higher intake of calcium and magnesium from the diet is linked with lower migraine occurrence, according to researchers from Harbin Medical University in China who analysed more than 10,000 cases.

Calcium and vitamin D deficiencies raises osteoporosis risk in low income people: Study

07-Aug-2020 By Stephen Daniells

In the US, 25% of the older Americans live below the poverty line, and high levels of inadequacy of calcium and vitamin D is putting this already vulnerable population at increased risk of poor bone health, suggests a new study from Pharmavite LLC, the...

Dietary guidelines report carves out role for dietary supplementation, especially in maternal nutrition

21-Jul-2020 By Hank Schultz

The USDA report that will underpin the development of the next set of Dietary Guidelines for Americans reflects a growing and welcome appreciation of the role of dietary supplements, industry observers say.

Casein-encapsulated calcium eases GI concerns, study finds

06-May-2020 By Hank Schultz

Researchers working with a group of postmenopausal women found that a technology using casein to encapsulate calcium nanoparticles reduced GI issues compared with more conventional calcium carbonate or calcium citrate supplements.

Vitamin D alone doesn't prevent bone fractures: Study

03-Jan-2020 By Danielle Masterson

It may be ineffective on its own, but vitamin D taken in combination with calcium could be the key to reducing the risk of fracture.

Calcium supplements have ‘little place in modern medicine’ – Controversial review

18-Dec-2019 By Richard Whitehead

A new review suggests that calcium and vitamin D supplements have little effect in increasing bone density and preventing fractures.

Don't throw calcium on trash heap because of possibly anomalous study, CRN urges

13-Mar-2018 By Hank Schultz

A recent study that suggested supplemental calcium could increase the incidence of colon polyps is preliminary and should not weigh heavily against the well-proven benefits of the mineral, a trade organization has said.

New rat study backs Aquamin’s benefit over traditional calcium for bone health

17-Aug-2017 By Adi Menayang

Oral ingestion of Aquamin—a form of calcium derived from calcified red marine algae—may lead to less deterioration of the trabecular bone structure, according to a team of researchers from various institutions in Ireland.

Dairy and supplements equal for boosting calcium levels for bone health

11-Oct-2016 By Stephen Daniells

There is no difference between food and supplements for boosting calcium levels for bone health in post-menopausal women, says a new study.

Special Edition: Bone & Joint Health

Ingredients' form critical for successful bone health formula—or maybe not

22-Jun-2016 By Hank Schultz

An ideal bone health formulation would include the right amounts of certain minerals and vitamins. And the form of those substances is critical—or maybe not.

Innovations in Minerals

Accusations against calcium are unfounded, bone health experts say

16-Feb-2016 By Adi Menayang

Amid bad press in the latter half of last year, calcium supplement sales declined. But some bone health experts argue that calcium is still essential to bone health—with no cardiovascular risk whatsoever.

Meta-analyses question calcium's efficacy for boosting bone health & reducing fractures

29-Sep-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Two meta-analyses have questioned the efficacy of calcium supplements to boost bone mineral density (BMD) and reduce the risk of fractures, but the data selection for the analyses has been questioned by a leading trade association.

Calcium supplementation again questioned, this time in Harvard newsletter

27-Aug-2015 By Hank Schultz

How much calcium is too much?  Despite recent determinations by health authorities, it’s a question that won’t be put to rest.  The most recent stirring of the pot came in an interview published by the Harvard Women’s Health Watch that said recommended...

Specialty positioning helps insulate suppliers from soft spot in sales of calcium supplements

28-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

Dr Oz giveth and he taketh away. That seems to be the recent message in the calcium space, where sales of the mineral have staggered under negative mentions by the good doctor and questions in the broader medical community about how much calcium is a...

Scientists identify novel ‘nanoplatform’ for calcium delivery for bone health

04-Dec-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Encapsulating calcium in an edible protein cage can boost absorption of the mineral and offer an alternative delivery method for use in fortified foods and supplements, says new research.

Waitaki launches new calcium ingredient with bone health efficacy and heart health safety

29-Sep-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

New Zealand’s Waitaki Biosciences is launching a new patent pending calcium form has been reported to improve bone health in post-menopausal women, while also producing to lower peak blood calcium levels compared with other calcium forms.

Supplier says vitamin K2 is helping to turn the corner on calcium

01-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

Calcium is yet another nutrient that has taken a recent hit in the press and the marketplace with associations of high calcium intake with increased heart disease risk. But a manufacturer of vitamin K2 believes that education on the beneficial interaction...

New vitamin K2 form will help build better bone health products, distributor says

12-Nov-2013 By Hank Schultz

A new vitamin K2 form that that increases product stability will cement the vitamin’s position in bone health formulations, says the ingredient’s North American distributor.

Calcium and heart health: ‘Nutrition savvy dietitians do not recommend calcium in isolation’

31-Oct-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Studies linking calcium intakes to heart concerns continue to be published, but studies showing no effects and even benefits can also be found in the literature, so what are the lessons to learn and what questions remain unanswered?

Europharma supplement addresses calcium's role in soft tissues

05-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

EuroPharma has introduced a calcium supplement that addresses the mineral’s role in the functioning of soft tissues such as muscles and nerves instead of its usual role in bone health.

JAMA: Excessive supplemental calcium may raise heart disease risk for men, not women

04-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

High intakes of calcium from supplements may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease for men, but not women, says a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Special edition: Innovations in minerals

From eggshells and coral to red algae… Calcium supplements, the next generation (part one)

24-Jan-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Given the maturity of the market for calcium supplements and calcium-fortified foods and beverages, there is a surprising amount of innovation both in raw ingredients and finished products, say market experts.

Special edition: Innovations in minerals

Chews, sachets and ‘petite pills’… Calcium supplements, the next generation (part two)

24-Jan-2013 By Elaine WATSON

As the more innovative supplement manufacturers are well aware, novel delivery formats - from gummies and straws to gourmet chocs - can breathe new life into a mature category and bring new consumers into the market.

Study links calcium supplements to doubling of heart attack risk

25-May-2012 By Nathan Gray

Researchers have warned that calcium supplements should be ‘taken with caution’ after new findings suggested consumption of the supplements could double the risk of heart attack incidence.

Calcium supplement sales slumped 3.5% in past year, says SPINS

24-Feb-2012 By Elaine Watson

US sales of calcium and calcium formula supplements slumped 3.5% in the past year against a backdrop of 8.1% growth in the overall dietary supplements market over the same period.

Coral calcium sales back with a vengeance, says supplier

24-Feb-2012 By Elaine Watson

While bad press caused by a few unscrupulous players temporarily dented growth in the coral-derived calcium market, sales have now recovered strongly, according to one leading supplier.

Calcium and fat loss: RCT adds to controversy over potential benefits

19-Oct-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Calcium supplements or dairy do not promote fat loss in overweight teens, suggests a new clinical trial, but a leading expert has challenged the interpretation of the data and says there is evidence to support the link.

Magnesium gains momentum as firms build on its bone health credentials

21-Sep-2011 By Elaine Watson

Sales of vitamins and supplements with magnesium as a primary ingredient surged more than 20% in the US over the past year, while growing interest from beverage manufacturers has also given the multi-talented mineral a new lease of life.

Prebiotics again show bone boosting benefits for teens

31-May-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of a prebiotic fiber may boost calcium and magnesium absorption in the gut and help build healthy bones during adolescence, suggests a new study with rats.

Americans may not be getting enough calcium, suggests study

28-Apr-2011 By Nathan Gray

Many Americans are not reaching the recommended levels of calcium intake, putting them at risk of suffering from poor bone health, according to new research.

Vitamin D recommendations increased, but report says most Americans already reach adequate levels

30-Nov-2010 By Nathan Gray

A new report from the Institute of Medicine has set out new, increased, dietary recommendations for calcium and vitamin D, but noted that that many Americans already achieve the RDI levels through diet and sun exposure.

Calcium’s weight loss potential gets RCT support

10-Aug-2010 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of calcium, with or without vitamin D, may reduce body fat levels and help maintain lean mass, suggests new data from a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.

Study backs vitamin D and calcium supplements

01-Apr-2010 By Guy Montague-Jones

New research suggests that Vitamin D and calcium supplements may be helping Americans approach adequate intake levels.

Vitamin D plus calcium may protect everyone from fracture: Study

15-Jan-2010 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements which combine vitamin D and calcium may reduce the risk of fractures for everyone, regardless of age or gender, say the results of a huge study.

Court rules against FTC in supplement ad case

17-Aug-2009 By Lorraine Heller

A US District Court has ruled against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and in favor of a supplements firm, in a landmark case that found FTC’s criticism of the company’s advertising was simply a “difference of opinion”.

Irish seaweed calcium supply is safe, says Marigot

21-Jul-2008 By Shane Starling

The world's leading plant-sourced supplier of calcium has defended itself against an industry source's accusations that it has over-harvested its Irish seaweed supply and will soon be forced to source exclusively from its new Icelandic base.

Calcium cheese powder promises mouth feel benefits

30-Apr-2008 By Shane Starling

A calcium-fortified cheese powder is targeting beverage and food
manufacturers with a claim that it has resolved the chalky
mouthfeel typically associated with calcium fortification.

Vitamin D, calcium's colon benefits pinpointed?

14-Apr-2008 By Stephen Daniells

Epidemiological studies supporting vitamin D and calcium for
protection against colorectal cancer may be biochemically and
biologically plausible, suggests new research.