Mineral
Calcium
Calcium is an essential mineral and the most abundant one in the body. Nearly all of it is stored in bones and teeth.
Also listed as Ca2+, Ca, Coral Calcium
Does more calcium build stronger bones?
A 2015 review of 59 randomized trials in adults over 50 found small bone-density increases with additional calcium from food or supplements. Gains were around 1–2% and did not keep accumulating with longer treatment. 1
Bone densityToo little evidence
These small changes do not establish a meaningful reduction in fractures. 1
What else matters for bones?
DGE places calcium alongside physical activity and vitamin D status in bone health. Meeting a nutritional requirement and proving a benefit from extra tablets are different questions. 1 2
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Essential Health1 effect
Bone & Joint2 effects
Dietary calcium intake and change in bone mineral density in older adults: a systematic review of longitudinal cohort studies2021Calcium intake and bone mineral density: systematic review and meta-analysis2015Effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone density in men and women 65 years of age or older.1997
No study is linked to this rating.
Cardiovascular1 effect
Effects of Calcium and Vitamin D Co-supplementation on the Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.2021The effect of calcium supplement intake on lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials2020Effects of calcium supplementation on serum lipid concentrations in normal older women: a randomized controlled trial.2002
Women's Hormones1 effect
Calcium supplementation during pregnancy and maternal and offspring bone health: a systematic review and meta‐analysis2021Effect of calcium supplementation on bone resorption in pregnancy and the early postpartum: a randomized controlled trial in Mexican Women2014Prenatal calcium supplementation and postpartum depression: an ancillary study to a randomized trial of calcium for prevention of preeclampsia2001
Fertility1 effect
Effectiveness of calcium supplementation in the prevention of gestational hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.2024Calcium supplementation commencing before or early in pregnancy, or food fortification with calcium, for preventing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.2017Effects of calcium supplementation during pregnancy on maternal, fetal and birth outcomes.2012
Fitness1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
All studies
15 publications are linked to Calcium, newest first.
Calcium deficiency and its implications for cardiovascular disease and cancer: Strategies for resolution via agronomic fortification2024Effectiveness of calcium supplementation in the prevention of gestational hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.2024Role of calcium on lipid digestion and serum lipids: a review2021Dietary calcium intake and change in bone mineral density in older adults: a systematic review of longitudinal cohort studies2021Effects of Calcium and Vitamin D Co-supplementation on the Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.2021Calcium supplementation during pregnancy and maternal and offspring bone health: a systematic review and meta‐analysis2021The effect of calcium supplement intake on lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials2020Calcium supplementation commencing before or early in pregnancy, or food fortification with calcium, for preventing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.2017Calcium intake and bone mineral density: systematic review and meta-analysis2015Effect of calcium supplementation on bone resorption in pregnancy and the early postpartum: a randomized controlled trial in Mexican Women2014Calcium intake in health maintenance – a systematic review2013Effects of calcium supplementation during pregnancy on maternal, fetal and birth outcomes.2012Effects of calcium supplementation on serum lipid concentrations in normal older women: a randomized controlled trial.2002Prenatal calcium supplementation and postpartum depression: an ancillary study to a randomized trial of calcium for prevention of preeclampsia2001Effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone density in men and women 65 years of age or older.1997