Popping a vitamin pill or supplement is often seen as the simple
preventative solution to illness. It's also pitched as the
perfect pick-me-up for when we feel a little flat, stressed or
fluey. While we take vitamins and supplements to improve our
health, new research confirms they can be more of a hindrance
than a help. A longitudinal study of more than 60,000 elderly
Swedish women found those who take calcium supplements in high
doses may have a higher risk of heart disease and death. This is
contrary to the popular belief that calcium supplementation is
beneficial to the health of the elderly. The study, published
online in the British Medical Journal in February, found women
who consume 1400 milligrams or more of calcium a day in tablet
form, have more than double the risk of death from heart
disease. In Australia the recommended daily intake for adults
aged 51 years and over is 1300 mg a day in total. "If you have a
normal diet, you don't need to take calcium supplements," lead
author, Dr. Karl Michaëlss