Calcium Supplementation and Heart Attacks - by Dr. Ron Cherubino

This research is a wonderful example of faulty science in motion. It is based on a distinct lack of understanding and knowledge and blatantly disregards basic human physiology and the interactive nature of the human organism.

August 7, 2010 - I encourage anyone that has a sincere interest in learning about a possible link between calcium supplementation and increased heart attack to read this article in its entirety before passing judgment. There are two concerns that the reader will need to keep in mind. First, science as practiced in its current form is quite linear. Reality, especially when it comes to the human body, is anything but linear. Also, hundreds of thousands of electrochemical events occur from moment to moment in the human organism. To isolate one individual component, i.e. a response to a drug or mineral compound, is at best questionable and at worst foolhardy.

After a careful review of the published research study, Effect of Calcium Supplements on Risk of Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Events: Meta-Analysis, I offer the following analysis.

1. The type of calcium supplement used with the study participants is of an inorganic nature and while it may be easily absorbed into the bloodstream, it is poorly used at the cellular level. This may account for some of the findings of the study as it may well produce an undue burden on the cardiovascular system. Unlike calcium rich foods, which contain a high percentage of covalently bound calcium, the ingestion of calcium isolated into ionically bound mineral salts can easily offset the bodies natural mineral balance.

2. When it comes to osteoporosis (technically defined as loss of bony tissue) there is a lot more to the picture than calcium alone. Bones are a living tissue comprised of living cells with needs that far exceed calcium alone. A host of minerals both macro and trace are necessary for proper cellular metabolism whether we are talking about bone or any of the other trillions of cells in the body. To attempt to isolate one mineral and judge its effect on the body without regard to the dozens of other minerals that are needed for proper cellular function is absurd.

3. Human physiology is multifactorial. There are far too many factors at play with one person let alone thousands of individuals. Therefore, each person is truly unique. It isn't possible to adequately fashion a legitimate scientific study to "test" the efficacy of adding one mineral to the mix and then judge its effect for one particular outcome. While these kinds of studies, if properly set up and conducted, are interesting -- they are far from profound. And, unfortunately, the opportunity for misunderstanding their outcome is far too great to justify this exercise in futility.

4. The conclusions of the study are slanted towards the status quo. The recommendation to prescribe osteoporosis medications based on this low-level study disregards the harmful effects of the currently prescribed pharmaceuticals. This is especially significant since an inferior grade of calcium was used without a proper array of other necessary and co-operative minerals. It is clear from even the limited studies that have been conducted concerning osteoporosis medications that the harmful toxic effects on the liver, kidneys and central nervous system are far more of a concern to a person's overall health than the addition of calcium to their diet.

5. The study fails to take into account the number of study participants suffering from pre-existing conditions that would leave them vulnerable to the negative effects of Ionic calcium on the cardiovascular system and the heart muscle in particular. It is a well-known fact that commonly used medications for conditions such as high blood pressure have the unfortunate and sometimes even deadly side effect of interfering with nerve conduction to and from the heart.

6. Finally, calcium is important for basic cellular function in the body. Calcium is considered the guardian of the cell and acts to facilitate good chemicals into our cells while keeping unwanted substances out. The proper form of calcium with its proper mineral, vitamin and enzyme complements should be prescribed, with people being encouraged to seek out a more holistic approach to the health of their cells, tissues, organs, structures and bodies as a whole.


For more information on proper supplementation from a holistic health perspective, visit: www.AskDrRon.com