Evidence brief · Supplement
Calcium for Cardiovascular risk (supplements)
Evidence grade C — Debated small increase
- Overall grade
- Grade C
- Last revised
- 1
- graded outcome
- 0
- references listed
Assembled by the app from other entries in this library. It adds no evidence of its own — follow the links to the entries it draws on.
1 at grade C — 1 graded row
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- Cardiovascular risk (supplements)Evidence grade C
Debated small increase
Smallmixed
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: Cardiovascular risk (supplements) (grade C).
The evidence in words
The verdict
For cardiovascular risk (supplements), Calcium earns evidence grade C (small effect, mixed consistency) — the evidence is limited or mixed. Debated small increase
How it might work
Beyond bone matrix, calcium ions trigger muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and clotting. Vitamin D governs its absorption and vitamin K2 governs where deposited calcium ends up.
How to use it
Aim for ~1,000–1,200 mg/day total from all sources; supplement only the shortfall, in doses ≤500 mg at a time (absorption saturates). Citrate absorbs without stomach acid; carbonate needs food.
Safety & cautions
Constipation and, at high supplemental doses, kidney-stone and possibly cardiovascular concerns. Prefer dietary calcium and modest supplemental top-ups with D and K2.
Bottom line
Cover calcium from food if you can. If you supplement, keep single doses small, pair with vitamin D and K2, and don't chase megadoses — bigger is not safer here.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- Top-up
- ≤500 mg per dose, with D and K2; citrate needs no acid.
Goes with
- CalciumRead the full Calcium monographEvidence grade B
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- Calcium for Fracture risk (with D, deficient)Evidence grade B — In the under-suppliedEvidence grade B
- Calcium: dosage and how to take it≤500 mg per dose, with D and K2; citrate needs no acid.Evidence grade B
- Calcium: side effects, safety & interactionsConstipation and, at high supplemental doses, kidney-stone and possibly cardiovascular concerns. Prefer dietary calcium Evidence grade B
- Silicon for Bone-mineral densityEvidence grade C — Observational + small trialsEvidence grade C
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own — it is assembled from the entries it links to, whose sources are on their pages.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.