Alternative Health Blog

In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 323 generally healthy men, supplementation with calcium (1200 mg/d) was found to be associated with downward trends in blood pressure, particularly in subjects with low baseline intakes of calcium (below the median value of 785 mg/d), with systolic BP reduced by 4.2 mm Hg and diastolic by 3.3 mm Hg. Low intake of magnesium showed a similar interaction. Calcium supplementation was not found to be associated with changes in the ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol, weight, fat mass, lean mass, triglycerides, or total, LDL, or HDL cholesterol levels. The authors conclude, “Calcium supplementation in those with low dietary intakes may benefit blood pressure control.”
 
Reference:
“Effects of calcium supplementation on lipids, blood pressure, and body composition in healthy older men: a randomized controlled trial,” Reid IR, Ames R, et al, Am J Clin Nutr, 2009 Nov 11;