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CA8.8
Calcium Research
Likely helpsModerate safety
105 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Calcium appears to help in 7 of 8 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2015–2026 with a typical study size of 4,067 participants.
Based on 105 studies · 51 meta-analyses · 14 RCTs · 2,468,581 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
7helped1unclear· 97 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Bone healthSupports bone mineral density and skeletal strength · 8-12 weeks
Likely helps77 studies
Women's healthMay help manage menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes · 4-8 weeks · May help reduce menstrual discomfort and PMS symptoms · 1-3 cycles · Provides essential nutrients for healthy pregnancy · Ongoing
Muscle strength & powerSupports muscle contraction and bone density required for strength training · 8-16 weeks
Too few graded studies2 studies
Energy & fatigueAdequate calcium supports efficient muscle and nerve function · 4-8 weeks
Too few graded studies2 studies
InflammationCalcium + vitamin D co-supplementation may reduce inflammatory biomarkers · 8-12 weeks
Too few graded studies1 study
Endurance & exercise performance
Too few graded studies1 study
Anemia & hematology
Too few graded studies1 study
By the numbers
Pulled from 20 studies with measurable effects
People studied
2469k
typical study: 4067 people
Strongest designs
65
51 pooled, 14 randomised
Showed benefit
88%
7/8 studies
Populations Studied
Adults4
Pregnant women3
General population3
Individuals with metabolic conditions2
Active research area
86 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2026
201520202026
1Meta-Analysisn=902 · large study2026
Based on absolute risk reductions and thresholds considered clinically meaningful, this review found little to no benefits from use of calcium, vitamin D, or combined supplementation on the prevention of fractures and falls.
Massé O et al. · BMJ (Clinical research ed.) (2026)
Participants in most of the trials were community dwelling (87%) and not at high risk of fractures or falls (73%).
Based on absolute risk reductions and thresholds considered clinically meaningful, this review found little to no benefits from use of calcium, vitamin D, or combined supplementation on the prevention of fractures and falls.
4All-fracture riskMeta-AnalysisCited 247×n=51,419 · very large study2019
Supplementation with vitamin D plus calcium was associated with significantly decreased all-fracture risk, but neither vitamin D alone nor calcium alone was associated with reduced fracture risk.
Yao P et al. · JAMA Network Open (2019)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Meta-analysis of 11 randomized clinical trials with 51,419 participants
Vitamin D + calcium combination reduced overall fracture risk by 6%
Calcium alone was not associated with fracture risk reduction
5Bone mineral densityMeta-AnalysisCited 252×n=15,000 · very large study2015
Increasing calcium intake from dietary sources or by taking calcium supplements produces small non-progressive increases in BMD, which are unlikely to lead to a clinically significant reduction in risk of fracture.
Tai V et al. · BMJ (2015)
Barely noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Meta-analysis of 59 RCTs of calcium supplementation and 6 studies of dietary calcium
Calcium supplementation increased total body BMD by 0.6-1.8%
Effects were similar for dietary and supplemental calcium
Supporting these countries in developing calcium-based interventions to address this nutrient gap has the greatest likelihood to improve health outcomes, especially for mothers and their infants.
Bourassa MW et al. · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (2026)
Epidemiological data and modeled estimates on preterm births, maternal hypertensive disorders, and bone fractures were also incorporated to highlight areas with the greatest potential need for improved calcium intake.
Country typologies were created based on the risk of adverse health outcomes and the presence of policies or guidelines for calcium interventions.
Supporting these countries in developing calcium-based interventions to address this nutrient gap has the greatest likelihood to improve health outcomes, especially for mothers and their infants.
Therefore, although these findings suggest a protective role of calcium-rich diets, well-designed prospective and interventional studies are warranted to clarify whether this relationship is causal.
Gonnelli S et al. · Nutrients (2026)
Random-effects meta-analyses pooled fully adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) comparing the highest versus lowest intake categories.
This study shows that calcium supplements are associated with a significant reduction in the risk of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension and a trend toward better maternal and fetal-related outcomes.
Jaiswal V et al. · Current problems in cardiology (2024)
The Pooled analysis of primary outcome shows that calcium supplements reduce the risk of preeclampsia by 49% (OR, 0.51(95%CI: 0.40-0.66), P<0.001), and reduce the risk of gestational hypertension by 30% (OR, 0.70 (95%CI: 0.58-0.85)), P<0.001) compared to placebo.
This study shows that calcium supplements are associated with a significant reduction in the risk of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension and a trend toward better maternal and fetal-related outcomes.
This research is important for the delivery and formulation of calcium, particularly with the move toward plant-based diets.
Mulet-Cabero AI et al. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2023)
It seems that the interplay of calcium in blood lipid metabolism might be due to its complex and multiple roles in the lipid digestion in the small intestine.
The interactions between calcium and, fatty acids and bile may lead to impaired mixed micelle formation and solubilization, which is crucial in the lipid absorption and metabolism.
In addition, the calcium source and its surrounding matrix will have an influence over the physiological outcome.
This review is to present an overview of the latest research progress, existing problems and research prospects in the field of peptide-mineral complexes and to provide a more comprehensive theoretical basis for their exploitation in food industry.
Tian Q et al. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2023)
Peptides with small molecular weight are more likely to chelate metals, and carboxyl, amino groups and nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur atoms in the side chain, which can provide lone-pair electrons to combine with metallic ions.
Unidentate, bidentate, tridentate, bridging and α mode are regarded as common chelating modes.
Moreover, the stability of peptide-mineral complexes in the gastrointestinal tract and possible transport pathways were summarized.
This review aims to update the calcium-dysregulation mechanisms in AD and discuss targets and molecules with therapeutic potential based on their modulation.
Baracaldo-Santamaría D et al. · International journal of molecular sciences (2023)
Although the cytosolic calcium alterations in AD are not completely elucidated, some calcium-permeable channels, transporters, pumps, and receptors have been shown to be involved at the neuronal and glial levels.
In particular, the relationship between glutamatergic NMDA receptor (NMDAR) activity and amyloidosis has been widely documented.
Other pathophysiological mechanisms involved in calcium dyshomeostasis include the activation of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels, transient receptor potential channels, and ryanodine receptors, among many others.
Finally, some additional advice has to be given to avoid certain beverages such as those containing fructose or phosphoric acid, which are susceptible to increase the risk of nephrolithiasis.
Courbebaisse M et al. · Nutrients (2023)
Nephrolithiasis affects around 10% of the population and is frequently associated with impaired dietary factors.
Fluid intake must also be balanced between day and night, to avoid urinary supersaturation during the night.
Patients should be informed and supported in this difficult process of increasing urine dilution, with practical ways and daily routines to increase their fluid intake.
Low-molecular-weight heparin, vitamin D supplementation, exercise, calcium supplementation, and aspirin reduce the risk of preeclampsia/pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Liu YH et al. · American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (2023)
Low-molecular-weight heparin, vitamin D supplementation, exercise, calcium supplementation, and aspirin reduce the risk of preeclampsia/pregnancy-induced hypertension.
No significant differences between effective prophylactic strategies were found in preventing preeclampsia.
Protein/phytic acid/calcium complexes stability is of high relevance for food processing affecting not only structure but also functional and nutritional properties of proteins in legume-based foods.
Amat T et al. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2023)
Indeed, complexes formed are insoluble and limiting the absorption of nutrients, thus lowering the nutritional value of pulses.
To understand and overcome these issues, the present review will refine specific mechanisms involved in assemblies between these three essential compounds in legumes as soluble/insoluble binary or ternary complexes.
Molecular interactions are influenced by the environmental medium including pH, ionic strength and molar concentrations modulating the stability of these complexes during protein extraction.
Finally, we share with the reader our pragmatic algorithm for handling the urolithiasis risk in patients who have strong indications to be prescribed vitamin D and calcium supplementations.
Messa P et al. · Nutrients (2023)
Patients with urolithiasis, and particularly those with hypercalciuria, frequently have a marked reduction of bone mineral content up to the levels of osteoporosis, with a significant increase in bone fracture risk.
Despite the clinical and practical relevance of this issue, the evidence on this topic is scarce and contradictory.
Therefore, some concerns exist about how and whether to prescribe such supplements to a patient with a history of kidney stones.
In conclusion, along with exercise and dietary support, nutraceuticals, such as vitamin D, calcium, vitamin K, and natural agonists of irisin or testosterone, can serve as promising future therapeutic alternatives.
Kim YC et al. · Nutrients (2023)
Vitamin K, specifically menaquinone-4 (MK-4), improves mitochondrial function and reduces muscle damage.
Irisin is a hormone secreted during exercise that enhances oxidative metabolism, prevents insulin resistance and obesity, and improves bone quality.
Low-glycemic-index diets and green cardamom are potential methods for managing sarcopenic obesity.
However, further investigation is required to fully understand its range of health impacts and define optimal intake levels.
Pop MS et al. · Nutrients (2023)
Emerging evidence suggests that calcium-rich mineral water might have a role in body weight management, though further research is needed.
The review identifies several areas requiring additional research, such as the potential interaction between calcium-rich mineral water and other dietary components, the effects on populations with specific health conditions, and the long-term effects of consumption.
In conclusion, natural calcium-rich mineral waters show promise as a readily accessible and bioavailable sources of dietary calcium, potentially beneficial for a broad range of individuals.
In summary, formula milk supplementation enhances bone acquisition at the left forearm in young Chinese children.
Li BY et al. · Nutrients (2023)
Compared with the control group, formula milk intervention showed significant extra increments in BMD (3.77% and 6.66%) and BMC (4.55% and 5.76%) at the left forearm at 6th and 12th months post-intervention (all p < 0.001), respectively.
Similar trends were observed in BMD (2.83%) and BMC (2.38%) in the left calcaneus at 6 months (p < 0.05).
The milk intervention (vs. control) also showed significant changes in the serum concentrations of osteocalcin level (-7.59%, p = 0.012), 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D (+5.54%, p = 0.001), parathyroid hormone concentration (-15.22%, p = 0.003), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (+8.36%, p = 0.014).