There is a lack of evidence linking calcium with or without vitamin D supplementation to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in generally healthy adults, according to a new clinical guideline from the National Osteoporosis Foundation and the American Society for Preventive Cardiology. An expert panel was convened to evaluate the effects of dietary and supplemental calcium on CVD based on the existing peer-reviewed scientific literature. Findings and recommendations included:

• There is moderate-quality evidence (B level) that calcium with or without vitamin D intake from food or supplements has no relationship (beneficial or harmful) to the risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, mortality, or all-cause mortality in generally healthy adults at this time.

• Calcium intake from food and supplements that does not exceed the tolerable upper level of intake (defined by the National Academy of Medicine as 2000 to 2500 mg/d) should be considered safe from a cardiovascular standpoint.

Citation: Kopecky SL, Bauer DC, Gulati M, et al. Lack of evidence linking calcium with or without vitamin D supplementation to cardiovascular disease in generally healthy adults: A clinical guideline from the National Osteoporosis Foundation and the American Society for Preventive Cardiology. [Published online ahead of print October 25, 2016]. Ann Intern Med. doi:10.7326/M16-1743.