DEAR Dr. Fritz,
Good day to you and to your readers. I am Wanda D.
I have a friend who told me that calcium supplements are not good because they are bad for the heart. How true is this? I am concerned because I am taking calcium supplements to strengthen my bones as I am not getting any younger. I hope you can shed me some light on this issue.
Thank you and God bless you always.
Wanda D.
*****
Dear Wanda D.,
I understand why you are taking calcium - as you are not getting any younger - and for you to reduce your risk of osteoporosis.
Let me lay down to you the result of a recent study on calcium supplements. This is quite interesting as they found out that when the levels of calcium intake went up, the risk of developing heart disease went down.
But when they went further on the study - as they get to the source of calcium, it was found that calcium which came from dietary sources was protective while the calcium that came from supplements actually seemed to accelerate heart disease.
Well, your friend is quite updated and yes, she is right and you must have to be concerned about this. But, don’t worry. Worry only if you’re face with something to be worried of.
It’s still hard to know why this happened. But, one possible reason would be that the body is unable to process a lot of calcium that are consumed all at once - as would eventually happen with supplements. But, this is not the same as that of calcium coming from food.
If you believe that you are one of those who are really considering calcium supplements, I do believe that you have to see your physician to help you get through with this.
However, while you are still waiting for the day to come and visit your physician, try to consider getting calcium-rich food instead of supplements.
Be sure that you get them from calcium-rich foods. Below are few good sources:
1. Dairy products like low-fat and non-fat milk, yogurt and cheese
2. Canned sardines and salmon
3. Cooked beans and legumes
4. Okra, Chinese cabbage, and Broccoli
Well, I hope that helps. Good luck!
rDr. Fritz
r(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15 year stint with her radio program, “Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.” She is also a faculty in a College of Pharmacy. For your questions, you may send them to Dear Dr. Fritz, c/o VoxPop-Davao Publishing Inc., Ebro-Pelayo Building, Jacinto St., Davao City, (former Department of Foreign Affairs office), across Ateneo de Davao University and beside Holy Child School of Davao, or you e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com. If you don’t wish your letter to be published, we regret that we cannot answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)
