Calcium Supplements Not Linked to Dementia Risk, Study Finds

A long-term Australian study finds that calcium supplements do not raise the risk of dementia in older women, easing safety concerns about their brain health effects.

Highlights:

Long-term study of 1,460 older women finds no link between calcium supplements and dementia
Results offer reassurance for patients and doctors using calcium to prevent osteoporosis
Researchers call for further trials in men and younger women to confirm safety across all groups

A new study from Edith Cowan University (ECU) and partners has found no evidence that calcium supplements increase the long-term risk of dementia in older women — challenging earlier fears about their potential impact on the brain ().

The research, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific, analyzed data from 1,460 older women who received either calcium supplements or a placebo for five years. Over a 14.5-year follow-up, there was no difference in dementia rates between the two groups. “Previous research raised concerns about calcium supplements and cognitive decline,” said ECU PhD student Negar Ghasemifard. “Our results provide reassurance to patients and clinicians regarding the safety of calcium supplements in the context of dementia risk.”

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Did You Know?
Good news for older women - calcium may strengthen bones, not threaten brains. A new Australian study finds no dementia risk from calcium use. #calciumsupplements #dementiaresearch #womenshealth #brainhealth #osteoporosis #medindia

How the Study Was Conducted

Led by Dr. Marc Sim from ECU, the research adjusted for lifestyle factors, dietary calcium intake, and genetic risk. Even after these adjustments, the results held firm — showing no increased dementia risk.

The study design was stronger than earlier observational work. About 730 women took calcium supplements, while another 730 received a placebo. This randomized, double-blind design helped control for confounding factors, giving the results more reliability.

“Our study offers more accurate data on dosage, duration, and long-term outcomes,” said Dr. Sim. “The 14.5-year follow-up strengthens our findings considerably.”

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Why It Matters for Older Women

Calcium is widely prescribed to prevent or manage osteoporosis, a condition affecting roughly 20% of women over 70. Past studies hinted at possible risks for brain health, but the new evidence brings clarity — and relief.

Professor Blossom Stephan, Dementia Australia’s Honorary Medical Advisor, said: “These results provide reassurance that long-term calcium supplementation did not increase dementia risk in older women.”

However, researchers caution that further studies are needed to confirm whether these findings apply to men or younger women who begin supplements earlier in life.

Future Directions

Professor Simon Laws, Director of ECU’s Centre for Precision Health, emphasized that while these results are reassuring, future clinical trials should specifically assess brain health as a primary outcome — especially in diverse populations and in combination with vitamin D.

Reference:

Calcium supplementation and the risk of dementia in the Perth Longitudinal Study of Aging Women: a post-hoc analysis of a randomised clinical trial for fracture prevention - (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanwpc/article/PIIS2666-6065(25)00233-0/fulltext)

Source-Medindia

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