Healthy living

Healthy eating

Say cheese to cut cancer risk

cheese

Calcium is linked to a lower risk of digestive system cancers, say researchers

Women with higher intakes of calcium appear to have a lower risk of all kinds of cancer, while both men and women with high calcium intakes have lower risks of colorectal cancer and other digestive system cancers, according to a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine

In a study of nearly 500,000 people, women who consumed the most calcium in their diets were 23 per cent less likely to develop cancers of the digestive system than those with a low calcium intake; for men a high calcium content was linked to a 16 per cent reduction in these types of cancers.

Scientists from the National Cancer Institute analysed data from 293,907 men and 198,903 women who had taken a food frequency questionnaire on dairy consumption, among other foods, and supplement usage, when they enrolled in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health study between 1995 and 1996. Their records were then linked with state cancer registries to identify new cases of cancer until 2003.

Overall, lead author Yikyung Park and colleagues identified 36,965 cancer cases in men and 16,605 in women in the seven years following the questionnaire. They found that calcium intake was not linked with all types of cancer in men, but in women the risk decreased in those who consumed up to 1,300 milligrams per day. The most significant link they uncovered was between high calcium intake and cancers of the digestive system, particularly colorectal cancer.

The one-fifth of men who consumed the most calcium through food and supplements (about 1,530 milligrams per day) had a 16 per cent lower risk of these types of cancer than the one-fifth who consumed the least (526 milligrams per day).

For women, those in the top one-fifth of calcium consumption (1,881 milligrams per day) had a 23 percent lower risk than those in the bottom one-fifth (494 milligrams per day).

According to our A-Z of Vitamins and Minerals, good sources of calcium include dairy products and foods such as pulses, soya, dried fruits, oranges, herbs, nuts, grains, eggs, fish and green leafy vegetables. Mineral water may contain calcium, depending on its source.

Useful links

Back to top

Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.

Back to top

 

The opinions expressed are those of the author and are not held by Saga unless specifically stated.
The material is for general information only and does not constitute investment, tax, legal, medical or other form of advice. You should not rely on this information to make (or refrain from making) any decisions. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation.