An extensive amount of research has confirmed that a sufficient intake of calcium plays a central role in building and sustaining optimum bone mass. Additional studies further indicate that adequate consumption of calcium can help lower cholesterol.
Calcium does a body good.
“Adequate calcium intake is vital to building and maintaining healthy bones, and to preventing osteoporosis—which is caused by a failure to build adequate bone mass or by bone loss that occurs as we age. Most people do not get enough calcium from diet alone, and this is where a calcium supplement can be important to consumers of all ages,” said Andrew Shao, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, Council for Responsible Nutrition.
Although small studies that have looked at the cholesterol-lowering capacity of calcium vary widely, they do demonstrate that at least 1000 mg of elemental calcium reasonably lowers total cholesterol by about 2 to 4%. The calcium in each study was taken as one dose, or separated into increments of 400 mg. Additionally, the studies looked at people with high and normal cholesterol levels, as well as individuals ingesting a Western or low fat diet.
While some studies suggest that elemental calcium may lower cholesterol slightly, other studies suggest calcium has no significant effect on cholesterol. Using calcium as your only method for lowering cholesterol is not recommended since it’s the benefits of calcium are still up for debate.
As we age, we need calcium to strengthen our bones. If you are older than 19 years of age, your recommended daily intake of calcium should be between 1000 and 1200 mg a day. This is roughly the same amount used in some of the studies looking at calcium’s ability to lower cholesterol.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-07/cfrn-csp072910.php
http://cholesterol.about.com/od/naturalalternatives/a/calcium.htm