AUCKLAND, New Zealand—Results from a recent study at the University of Auckland showed no significant effects of calcium supplementation on serum lipids or body composition in generally healthy men; however, it may benefit blood pressure control with low dietary intakes (Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Nov. 11). A randomized controlled trial of calcium supplementation in 323 generally healthy men over a period of two years randomly administered a placebo, 600 mg/d of calcium or 1,200 mg/d of calcium. There was no significant treatment effect on the ratio of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P = 0.47) nor on weight, fat mass, lean mass, triglycerides, or total, LDL or HDL cholesterol (P>0.28 for all). There were downward trends in systolic and diastolic blood pressures within the calcium-supplemented groups, but there were no significant treatment effects over the whole trial period (P>0.60). In a post hoc analysis of those with baseline calcium intakes below the median value (785 mg/d), blood pressures showed borderline treatment effects. Low-magnesium intake showed a similar interaction. No treatment effects on weight or body composition were found.
