May 6, 2008
Since you're involved in the study, you might want to know the current ever-changing thinking about osteoporosis. We'll send you a letter like this about once a month, and when significant developments come to light. There's no need to respond, but we've put our addresses below just in case you want to.
Elise Weiss, M.D.
Loren Fishman, M.D.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
-- Margaret Meade
Surprising and Important Study about Calcium
Calcium supplements are critical for staving off osteoporosis. Calcium also lowers cholesterol. However, a five year study involving 1471 women averaging recorded significantly higher levels of stroke and heart attack in women taking moderately high doses of calcium. (1)
The group was divided roughly in half, and reasonably matched with regard to age and health condition. Half were given one gram of calcium citrate daily; the other half received placebo. The researchers followed the patients closely, and contacted their cardiologists when questions arose. Here is a table of the results that appeared both in their article and in Heartwire, an internet site concerning cardiology:
In medicine a statistically significant result is indicated by a value of "p" less than 0.5. Looking in the far right column shows that only the "Heart Attack" p-value is statistically significant, though the number of strokes in the group of women taking calcium supplements was also greater than it was in the control group.
There were several earlier studies that also resulted in higher rates of heart attack and stroke among the people taking calcium, but their analysis did not show statistical significance, only a trend. (2,3) The patients in these studies were younger, in their 50's and 60's.
The current wisdom is that calcium does seem to pose a risk for heart attack and stroke, and that this risk is increased with age above 75, and, of course, in people that have cardiac or cerebrovascular conditions in the first place. Therefore, individuals who have attained 75 years, or have cardiac or cerebrovascular conditons, should cut down their calcium to 500mg, rather than 1000 or 1200. Other people appear to be at much smaller incremental risk, and are advised to continue on with their current calcium dosage.
However, a five year study involving 1471 women averaging recorded significantly higher levels of stroke and heart attack in women taking moderately high doses of calcium. (1)
1.Bolland MJ, Barber PA, Doughty RN, et al. Vascular events in healthy older women receiving calcium supplementation: randomized controlled trial. BMJ 2008; DOI:10.1136/bmj.39440.525752.BE. Available at: http://www.bmj.com.
2. Hsia J, Heiss G, Ren H, et al. Calcium/vitamin D supplements and cardiovascular events. Circulation. 2007;115:846-854.
3. Michos ED, Blumenthal RS. Vitamin D supplementation and cardiovascular disease risk. Circulation. 2007;115:827-828.
Yoga for Osteoporosis Study
The study began in October of 2005. To date 14 patients have completed two years of yoga.
Results: Average gain in T-score: 0.6 points in two years
Lowest Gain: Two patients' T-scores have not changes. None have declined.
Greatest Gain: One patient gained 1.2 points in her T-score in two years.
Average yoga involvement: 10 minutes/day, 5 days /week
Side effects: There have been no fractures. No patient in the study has died.
People in the study that would like to communicate with others:
Cheri Dyer - cherianndyer@msn.com (570) 727-3129
Comments, Questons, Criticism Suggestions
e-mail: Loren@sciatica.org
or write
Elise Weiss, M.D.
1009 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10028