This Highly Recommended Supplement May Damage Your Heart as You Age, New Study Finds — Eat This Not That

By Ghuman

Introduction

As we age, it is important to be mindful of what we put into our bodies. Unfortunately, a new study has found that a highly recommended supplement may be damaging to our hearts as we age. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, found that taking a certain supplement may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. This article will discuss the findings of the study and provide advice on what to eat instead of the supplement.

This Highly Recommended Supplement May Damage Your Heart as You Age, New Study Finds

A new study has found that a popular supplement may be doing more harm than good when it comes to heart health. The supplement, which is widely recommended for its purported health benefits, has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease in older adults.

The study, which was published in the journal Circulation, looked at the effects of the supplement on more than 4,000 adults aged 65 and older. The researchers found that those who took the supplement had a significantly higher risk of developing heart disease than those who did not take it.

The supplement in question is omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil and other sources. Omega-3 fatty acids are widely recommended for their purported health benefits, including reducing inflammation and improving heart health. However, the new study suggests that taking too much of the supplement may actually increase the risk of heart disease.

The researchers found that those who took more than 1,000 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids per day had a significantly higher risk of developing heart disease than those who took less than 500 milligrams per day. The risk was even higher for those who took more than 2,000 milligrams per day.

The researchers caution that more research is needed to understand the exact effects of omega-3 fatty acids on heart health. In the meantime, they recommend that people talk to their doctor before taking any supplements, and that they stick to the recommended daily dose.

Eat This Not That

If you’re looking to improve your heart health, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the right nutrients from your diet. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is the best way to ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need. Eating fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines is also a great way to get omega-3 fatty acids, without having to take a supplement.

Getting enough calcium in your diet can be key to keeping your bones healthy and strong throughout your life. That’s why it’s often suggested that older people take calcium supplements in order to help to prevent issues such as broken bones and osteoporosis.

However, among the various side effects of taking calcium supplements after 50, a study has now found that they may actually damage your heart as you age.

In the study that was published in BMJ, researchers took a look at more than 2,600 people who were an average age of 74 years old. They were also patients who had calcification of their aortic valve that was considered to be in the mild to moderate range. While a third of the participants took calcium supplements and another third took both calcium and vitamin D supplements, the final group took no supplements at all.

calcium supplements
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Related: The #1 Best Juice to Drink Every Day, Says Science

As a result, those behind the study found that after a period of more than five and a half years, those who had taken calcium supplements alone faced a 24% higher risk of death. Taking vitamin D supplements along with calcium upped that percentage to a 31% risk.

“Taking additional calcium cannot be helpful, and may even be harmful,” said senior researcher Dr. Samir Kapadia, chair of cardiovascular medicine with the Cleveland Clinic.

This is why Dr. Kapadia adds that if you take supplements, it’s important to consult a professional to see if you should continue to do so or not.

“As a physician of internal medicine and vitamin expert, I would suggest that calcium supplements should be used minimally to avoid potential harm,” Arielle Levitan M.D., author of The Vitamin Solution:Two Doctors Clear the Confusion About Vitamins and Your Health, tells Eat This, Not That!. “We have long known that taking them in excess can cause an array of potential side effects including kidney stones, constipation, and even more concerning, calcium deposition in tissues such as the heart and possibly breast tissue.”

Instead, Levitan points out that most people get enough calcium through their diet alone. For instance, it can be found in foods such as “dairy products, dark greens, almonds, substitute milk products, chickpeas, and more.”

To find out more about how to get an adequate amount of calcium in your diet, be sure to read The #1 Best Food to Eat for Calcium, Says Science.

Desirée O

Desirée O is a freelance writer who covers lifestyle, food, and nutrition news among other topics. Read more