Our Review Summary
The story examines the potential risks and benefits associated with the use of calcium supplements, and discusses two recent studies (found in the Journal of the American Heart Association and the Annals of Internal Medicine) that address the issue.
On the whole, the story is strong: It offers guidance to readers about the state of research regarding calcium supplements, providing balanced information they can use to make informed decisions about their health. Yet, the story would have been stronger if it also had discussed the evidence around taking calcium to prevent osteoporosis-related bone fractures in older women.
Why This Matters
Failure to consume an adequate amount of calcium can be a contributing factor to osteoporosis, a condition in which a patient’s bones become weak and brittle — making osteoporosis patients more likely to suffer broken bones. However, there is concern among some healthcare providers that taking calcium supplements increases heart disease risk. In a 2012 report, the National Institutes of Health reported that heart disease was the leading cause of death in the U.S. So, given the dueling concerns over heart disease risk and osteoporosis risk, where does this leave patients? This story attempts to answer that question, and it overall does a good job.
Criteria
Not Satisfactory
Cost is not mentioned. While calcium supplements are not prohibitively expensive for most patients (prices vary, but tend to cost less than $10 for several months’ worth of pills), they are not free — and expense can be an important consideration for many patients. Also, given that most people can get enough calcium through foods and beverages, and yet more than one-third of Americans take calcium in supplement form, it would be informative for the reader to understand how much is spent annually on supplements that may not provide additional benefit.
Not Satisfactory
This story does several things well here, but it does not give us any sense of the measured benefits of taking calcium supplements–a systematic review determined the evidence was “weak and inconsistent.” That lack of quantification is why this earns a “not satisfactory” rating.
That said, let’s look at the things the story does well. First, the story makes clear that many people do not need calcium supplements, discussing what constitutes the recommended level of calcium intake per day, and that fact that many people meet that mark through their daily diet. Second, the story also makes clear that some people can benefit from calcium supplements, pointing specifically to older adults who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis and teen girls, whose diets may not include the recommended 1,300 milligrams of calcium per day.
Satisfactory
While we discussed benefits above, the focus of the story is primarily on potential harms. Namely, the story looks at potential risks to heart health associated with the use of calcium supplements. And the story does a fine job here, particularly given the fact that, as one source in the story notes, “The public has been receiving very confusing and alarming messages about calcium supplements.” Specifically, the story explains that there is some concern that the use of calcium supplements may lead to a build-up of calcium in the arteries, which may contribute to risk of heart attack or stroke. The story then fleshes out the arguments of both sides in this debate, without making any sweeping judgments about which side of that argument is correct. In other words, the story gives readers information without telling readers what conclusions they should draw. In a case like this one, we think that’s the responsible position to take.
Satisfactory
Given the scope of this piece, involving two studies and a slew of background information, the story does a good job of offering readers adequate insight into the evidence. First, the story includes links to both of the relevant studies. That’s always a good thing. Second, the story describes the scope of both studies (3,000 adults for the observational study in JAHA, 31 studies in the meta-analysis in AIM). Third, the story addresses the shortcomings of the relevant studies. For example, the story notes that the JAHA study “was not designed in a way that could prove the supplements caused the artery changes.” Similarly, the story notes that some critics feel the AIM meta-analysis “did not include all potentially relevant studies.” In both cases, those are points worth making.
Satisfactory
No disease mongering here. If anything, this is quite the opposite: giving readers more information in order to help them make informed decisions.
Satisfactory
This is a strong point. The story not only incorporates input from multiple sources, but clearly identifies any affiliation that could be perceived as influencing their perspective (e.g., noting that one source wrote an editorial that was published in conjunction with the JAHA paper). In addition, the story clearly notes that the meta-analysis was done with support from a pharmaceutical company that manufactures calcium supplements.
Satisfactory
On its face, the story deals with two options: taking calcium supplements or not taking them. Both options are addressed here, so it earns a “satisfactory” rating. But this story also goes a step further, highlighting other factors in supporting bone health, including vitamin D consumption and exercise.
Not Applicable
The story does not address calcium supplement availability. However, given that these supplements are not new, and are widely available, we’ll rate this as not applicable.
Satisfactory
The story does note that “Over the past decade, some studies have raised the possibility that calcium…might raise heart risks.” That is enough — barely — to earn it a “satisfactory” rating, in part because one of the two studies being discussed is a meta-analysis of 31 previous studies. However, a brief dive into the history of calcium supplementation and the public’s perceptions on the issue would add weight to the impact of these newer studies.
Satisfactory
The story does not appear to rely on a news release.
Total Score: 7 of 9 Satisfactory
Comments
Please note, comments are no longer published through this website. All previously made comments are still archived and available for viewing through select posts.
Our Comments Policy
But before leaving a comment, please review these notes about our policy.
You are responsible for any comments you leave on this site.
This site is primarily a forum for discussion about the quality (or lack thereof) in journalism or other media messages (advertising, marketing, public relations, medical journals, etc.) It is not intended to be a forum for definitive discussions about medicine or science.
We will delete comments that include personal attacks, unfounded allegations, unverified claims, product pitches, profanity or any from anyone who does not list a full name and a functioning email address. We will also end any thread of repetitive comments. We don”t give medical advice so we won”t respond to questions asking for it.
We don”t have sufficient staffing to contact each commenter who left such a message. If you have a question about why your comment was edited or removed, you can email us at feedback@healthnewsreview.org.
There has been a recent burst of attention to troubles with many comments left on science and science news/communication websites. Read “Online science comments: trolls, trash and treasure.”
The authors of the Retraction Watch comments policy urge commenters:
We”re also concerned about anonymous comments. We ask that all commenters leave their full name and provide an actual email address in case we feel we need to contact them. We may delete any comment left by someone who does not leave their name and a legitimate email address.
And, as noted, product pitches of any sort – pushing treatments, tests, products, procedures, physicians, medical centers, books, websites – are likely to be deleted. We don”t accept advertising on this site and are not going to give it away free.
The ability to leave comments expires after a certain period of time. So you may find that you’re unable to leave a comment on an article that is more than a few months old.
You might also like