Don’t Trash the Calcium, Ladies!

Many of you have been listening with only one ear to the latest news regarding calcium supplementation and potential risk of heart disease. It is time to open up your other ear! The study that is being referenced is predominantly about men. Men have a much lower risk of osteoporosis. So what do women need to hear clearly? For the time being, there is no evidence that calcium supplements cause an increased risk of heart disease in women. Women, however, are at a much higher risk for osteoporosis, and should be aware of all the ways they can reduce risk:

— Increase weight bearing exercise and strength training
— Eliminate smoking
— Eat more healthily with foods that are calcium rich
— Take a single calcium supplement with vitamin D each day (unless you are already taking medicine to treat or prevent osteoporosis)

The bottom line here is that women are not men! Even though most of us know that, when it comes to health issues, it bears repeating sometimes.

Tara Allmen, MD Credentials:
– Board Certified Gynecologist and Nationally Certified Menopause Practitioner
– New York City’s Leading Expert In Menopause
– President, North American Menopause Society Foundation
– Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
– New York City’s Top Gynecologist, 2015
– Five Star Rating From Doctor’s Choice Awards
– Five Star Rating From HealthGrades