Combining Calcium and Vitamin D Supplements Lowers Overall Death Risk by 15%, Study Finds in Koreans

Studies have shown that taking calcium and vitamin D supplements together can lower the risk of overall death by 15%. Through this study, the relationship between the use of calcium and vitamin D supplements and mortality in Koreans was identified, and the basis for taking calcium and vitamin D in combination was established.

Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements together can lower the risk of death by 15%, study finds | Source: Getty Image Bank

Using the National Health Insurance Service cohort data, the research team led by Professor Kim Shin-gon of the Department of Endocrinology at Korea University Anam Hospital collected data from a total of 27,846 patients, including 6,256 patients who took calcium supplements alone for more than 90 days and 21,590 patients who took calcium supplements and vitamin D together. Analyzed.

As a result, there was no difference in total mortality in the group taking calcium supplements alone compared to those who did not take calcium supplements and vitamin D. However, when taking a combination of vitamin D and calcium supplements, the overall mortality rate was 15% lower than those who did not take it. In particular, the risk of cardiovascular-related death was confirmed to be 28% lower. In addition, calcium supplement and vitamin D combination was observed to be more effective in △women than men △aged 65 years or older △having underlying cardiovascular or cancer diseases.

The research team said, “Through the study, it was confirmed that combination therapy of calcium and vitamin D can contribute to lowering the risk of mortality.” Applying calcium and vitamin D combination therapy may be helpful.”

The study was published in the international journal ‘Journal of Internal Medicine’.

The Role of Calcium and Vitamin D… What is the proper intake?
Calcium and vitamin D are nutrients that play an important role in the functioning of the human body. First, calcium plays a role in forming bones and teeth and keeping them strong. Calcium is also essential for regulating various physiological functions such as blood coagulation, nerve transmission, muscle contraction and relaxation, and cell metabolism.

Vitamin D is also closely related to bone health. Although it is not a component that directly forms bone, it plays an important role in maintaining calcium and phosphorus concentrations. In addition, vitamin D helps the production of immune cells and contributes to immunity enhancement.

Calcium and vitamin D play a variety of roles in the body, so be careful not to be deficient. When there is a lack of calcium in the body, calcium is dissolved in the bones to maintain the blood calcium concentration, and as a result, the bones become weak, leading to osteopenia and osteoporosis. When vitamin D is insufficient, problems such as growth disorders, rickets, and osteomalacia appear.

However, it is important to remember that both nutrients can cause side effects even when excessive in the body. Excessive levels of calcium and vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia is a condition that can cause symptoms such as anorexia, weight loss, and cardiac arrhythmias. In addition, if hypercalcemia lasts for a long time, the risk of various diseases such as cardiovascular disease may increase, so caution is needed.

If so, what is the optimal intake of calcium and vitamin D? According to the ‘2020 Nutrient Intake Standards’ of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the daily recommended intake of calcium is △500~1,000mg for growth period △700~800mg for adult period △700~800mg for old age. In the case of ‘upper limit intake’, which refers to the maximum nutrient intake without harmful effects on the human body, △2,500~3,000mg for growth period △2,000~2,500mg for adult period △2,000mg for elderly period is suggested.

In the case of vitamin D, the daily variation in intake is large, and since it is also produced by sunlight, it is difficult to calculate the required amount, so a sufficient intake is suggested. The daily sufficient intake of vitamin D is △5 to 10 μg in the growth period △10 μg in the adult period △15 μg in the elderly period. The upper limit intake is △ growth period 30 ~ 100μg △ adult period 100μg △ elderly period 100μg.

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