In the summer of 2010, calcium supplements made big news because researchers found that they might increase the risk of heart attacks.  The study was published in the British Medical Journal in July 2010, and found that out of almost 12,000 participants, 309 people taking calcium supplements had heart attacks, while only 241 people taking placebo had heart attacks during the study.

This means that participants taking a calcium supplement had a 27% to 31% greater chance of having a heart attack than those on placebo.  

And all of the participants were taking  either calcium carbonate or citrate calcium.  Why is that important?  Because those are the two kinds of calcium supplements that are the most common in the stores Ð the kind we bring home every day.

So, does this mean that we now have to choose between taking our calcium supplements and risking a heart attack, or not taking calcium and risking osteoporosis?

Well, the study left out a third form of calcium Ð calcium citramate.  Studies have shown that this is a safer form of calcium, and is absorbed better.  The study also excluded key supporting ingredients Ð like vitamin D, magnesium and vitamin K.  These ingredients help the body absorb calcium and keeps it out of the arteries.