Calcium supplementation is a common recommendation for older adults, especially women, to help maintain bone health and prevent osteoporosis. However, for people with Alzheimer’s disease or those at risk for dementia, there have been concerns about whether taking calcium supplements could negatively affect brain health or even increase the risk of dementia. Recent research provides important clarity on this issue, especially for older women, who are the group most often prescribed calcium supplements.
## What Are the Concerns About Calcium and Brain Health?
Some earlier studies suggested that calcium supplements might contribute to blood vessel damage or calcium buildup in the brain, both of which could potentially increase the risk of dementia[1]. These concerns were based on observational studies, which can show associations but not prove cause and effect. Because of this, some people worried that taking calcium supplements might not be safe for those with Alzheimer’s disease or at high risk for dementia.
## What Does the Latest Research Say?
A large, long-term study from Australia specifically looked at whether calcium supplements increase the risk of dementia in older women[1][3][4]. The study, called the Perth Longitudinal Study of Aging Women, followed 1,460 women aged 70 and older who did not have dementia at the start. Half of the women took 1,200 mg of calcium carbonate daily for five years, while the other half took a placebo[1][5]. The researchers then tracked the women’s health for many years after the supplementation period ended.
The results were clear: there was no evidence that calcium supplements increased the risk of dementia, dementia-related hospitalizations, or dementia-related deaths[1][2][4]. In fact, the numbers showed a slight, but not statistically significant, reduction in risk for those taking calcium, but this difference was too small to be meaningful[2]. The researchers also looked at factors like how well participants stuck to their supplement regimen, their diet, and even their genetic risk for dementia, and still found no link between calcium supplementation and increased dementia risk[2][3][4].
This study is considered high quality because it was a randomized controlled trial, which is the gold standard for medical research[1][3]. It directly compared two groups—one taking calcium and one taking a placebo—and followed them over a long period, making the results very reliable.
## Are These Findings Relevant to People With Alzheimer’s Disease?
While the study focused on women without dementia at the start, the findings are reassuring for people with Alzheimer’s disease as well. The research showed that calcium supplementation did not worsen cognitive outcomes or increase the risk of dementia over many years[1][3][4]. This suggests that, at least for older women, calcium supplements are safe from a brain health perspective, even if they already have cognitive concerns.
It is important to note that the study did not specifically include people with diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease, so we cannot say for certain that the results apply equally to that group. However, there is no evidence from this or other recent studies that calcium supplements are harmful to brain health in older adults[1][3][4]. More research would be needed to confirm these findings in men and in people with existing dementia, but the current evidence is very encouraging.
## What About Other Health Risks?
Calcium supplements are generally safe when taken as directed, but like any supplement, they can have side effects. The most common issues are constipation and, in rare cases, kidney stones. It is also possible to take too much calcium, which can lead to problems like hypercalcemia (high calcium levels in the blood), but this is uncommon when supplements are used appropriately. The study discussed here did not report any serious adverse effects from calcium supplementation[1][3].
## Practical Advice for People With Alzheimer’s Disease
For older adults, especially women, calcium supplements remain an important tool for maintaining bone health and preventing fractures[1][3]. The latest research shows that these supplements do not increase the risk of dementia, even with long-term use[1][2][4]. This should reassure patients, caregivers, and doctors that calcium supplementation is safe from a cognitive standpoint.
However, it is always best to talk to a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other medical conditions. A doctor can help determine the right dose and check for any potential interactions with other medications.
## The Bottom Line
Current evidence from high-quality, long-term studies shows that calcium supplementation does not increase the risk of dementia in older women[1][2][3][4]. While more research is needed in men and in people with existing Alzheimer’s disease, there is no reason to believe that calcium supplements are unsafe for brain health in the populations studied so far. Calcium remains an important part of bone health strategies for older adults, and these findings support its continued use in clinical practice[1][3][4].
