Vitamin D and calcium, both are essential for us. They help to keep our bones healthy and strong. Deficiency of the same can make your bones brittle and more prone to fractures. Dairy and plant-based diet are the best sources to maintain the daily intake of these two important minerals. In certain medical conditions when people are not able to meet the daily intake of the two minerals from natural sources, they are recommended to have supplements to meet their needs. But a new study, which has surfaced recently claims that taking calcium and vitamin D supplements together can lead to a heart stroke.
Why do we need calcium?
Calcium helps in building bones and keeps them healthy. Apart from this, the mineral enables our blood to clot, helps our muscles to contract, and our heart to beat. About ninety-nine percent of the body’s calcium deposit can be found in the teeth and bones.
We lose calcium every day in some amount through our skin, hair, nail, sweat, urine, and faeces. So, it is important to maintain the daily intake of calcium in the body. The best way to increase the intake is through the food we eat. Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese are high in calcium content. Apart from that, certain green vegetables, soymilk, and almonds are also rich in calcium content.
Why do we need vitamin D?
Vitamin D protects our bones and helps support our muscles. Apart from this, vitamin D is needed for the absorption of calcium in the body. In children, vitamin D is needed to build strong bones, and adults need it to keep the bones strong and healthy. The best source of Vitamin D is sunlight. When you step out in the sun, the sunlight reaches your skin and your body makes vitamin D from it. Spinach, okra, soybeans are other sources of vitamin D.
What does the study say?
As per a recent study, taking calcium and vitamin D supplements together might increase the risk of having a stroke. The findings were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, which reviewed the effects of some supplements on human health.
The research focused on the effects of 16 different nutritional supplements and eight dietary interventions on the cardiac health of an adult person. The end result suggested that combining calcium and vitamin D increase the risk of having a stroke by 17 percent.
A researcher, who led the research at West Virginia University, said that taking calcium and vitamin D together is associated with a higher risk of stroke.
Some US scientists also believe that taking the two medicines together might lead to atherosclerosis- a condition where the arteries narrow due to the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances around the artery wall.
Doctors view on this finding
Dr. Romil Tikku, Associate Director, Internal medicine, Max Hospital, Delhi did not support this finding and said that he has not yet come across any such cases. “Vitamin D and calcium supplements are usually given together as calcium always need vitamin D for absorption. They come in a combination anyways. I haven’t come across any such case yet, where it led to heart stroke.”
The doctor went on to add that in certain cases Vitamin D intramuscular injections can lead to vitamin intoxication. “Intramuscular injections are given to people who are suffering from bowel issues, have undergone intestinal surgery or people who have absorption issues. It is given once a year, but sometimes Orthopedician give the dosage after every six weeks, which can lead to vitamin intoxication in the body. As vitamin D is fat-soluble in nature, it gets absorbed in the fat and is released in small quantity over a period of two months.”
“The intoxication leads to hypercalcemia (condition when the calcium level in the blood goes high) and causes renal failure and other issues, which happens many times,” Dr. Tikku said.
Dr. Amit Saraf, Consultant Physician, Jupiter Hospital, Mumbai also did not back the finding and said that having the two supplements together does not have any side effects.
The bottom line
It is better to fulfill your requirement of vitamin D and calcium from natural sources. You should consult your doctor in this matter before taking any decision.
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