A daily calcium intake of 1200 mg is routinely recommended especially for postmenopausal women to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and related fractures. Although there are numerous dietary sources of calcium, many women rely in large part on supplementation. A recently published meta-analysis suggesting that calcium supplements may increase the risk of myocardial infarction was widely reported in the media generating considerable alarm and many questions. This article will review our current understanding of this issue and provide guidance on counseling patients.
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