Pills taken to boost bone strength could raise risk of dementia, say boffins
The supplements have also been linked to an increased risk of heart attack
PILLS taken by millions in later life to boost bone strength could raise the risk of dementia, a study has claimed.
The danger was up to seven times higher for some elderly women using calcium supplements, researchers found.
A study of 700 healthy women aged 70 to 92 was carried out over five years and included brain scans for signs of dementia.
Nearly 100 of them were regular users of calcium supplements.
Results suggested the 100 were twice as likely to get dementia if they already had blocked blood vessels to the brain — a warning sign for strokes.
Among those who had already had a stroke, the risk jumped seven-fold, the Swedish team discovered.
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Researcher Dr Silke Kern, from Gothenburg University stressed: “It’s important to note our study is observational.
“We cannot assume calcium supplements cause dementia.”
The Alzheimer’s Society’s Doug Brown urged elderly people not to worry.
He said: “This research does not show a direct link between calcium supplements and increased dementia risk but it warrants further investigation.”
Up to five million Brits are thought to take calcium supplements, but the NHS says most people can get what they need from a healthy diet.
Calcium is found in dairy foods, also broccoli, cabbage, nuts and bread.
Previous studies showed popping calcium pills had no benefit for bones and did not reduce fractures.
One probe even linked the pills — which cost as little as five pence each — to an increased risk of heart attacks.