Calcium Supplements Linked to Dementia Risk in Women with Cerebrovascular Disease

Calcium supplementation is associated with increased risk for dementia in women with cerebrovascular disease, according to a small, observational study in Neurology.

Using Swedish registries, researchers followed 700 women aged 70 to 92 without dementia at baseline. Roughly 14% were using calcium supplements at baseline, and about half were still doing so at follow-up 5 years later.

Some 59 women developed dementia during the study. Calcium use at baseline was associated with increased risk for dementia — but only among women with a history of stroke (odds ratio, 6.8) and those with white matter lesions on CT scans (odds ratio, 3.0).

Among the potential mechanisms, the authors note: “The steep increase in serum calcium levels after calcium sup…