Increased Calcium Intake Associated with Lower Colorectal Cancer Risk

Recent research has revealed a significant link between higher calcium consumption and a reduced risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). A study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed a large cohort from the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study, focusing on participants aged 50 to 71 years who reported being in good health.

In this extensive study, researchers tracked 471,396 cancer-free individuals over 7,339,055 person-years, identifying 10,618 instances of first primary CRC. Participants were categorized into quintiles based on their total calcium intake, with the lowest quintile averaging 401 mg/d for women and 407 mg/d for men, while the highest quintile reported intakes of 2,056 mg/d for women and 1,773 mg/d for men.

The findings indicated that individuals in the highest quintile of calcium intake had a 29% lower risk of developing CRC compared to those in the lowest quintile, with a hazard ratio of 0.71. This trend remained consistent regardless of the source of calcium or the specific tumor site.

Interestingly, among non-Hispanic Black participants, the average calcium intake for the lowest quintile was 382 mg/d, compared to 1,916 mg/d for the highest quintile. However, no strong association between total calcium intake and CRC risk was observed in this group. The hazard ratio for this demographic was recorded at 0.60, but was not statistically significant.

The authors of the study acknowledged that while calcium intake levels may differ among various racial and ethnic groups, the potential protective effect of calcium against CRC appeared to be consistent. They emphasized the need for further research targeting racial and ethnic minority populations to better understand these dynamics.

Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of evidence suggesting that dietary calcium may play a crucial role in the prevention of colorectal cancer. As research continues, health professionals may consider advocating for higher calcium intake as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce CRC risk.