[Ricardo]

Calcium supplements and multiple myeloma

by Ricardo on Fri Jul 30, 2010 1:38 pm

There is story out today about a recent research study looking into calcium supplements and whether they are good or bad. The results are not focused on people who have multiple myeloma, but I think they are still interesting for people with myeloma.

The results are rather surprising: "Calcium supplements, which many people consume hoping to ward off osteoporosis, may increase the risk of heart attack by as much as 30 percent ... These tiny tablets which carry concentrated doses of calcium were also associated with higher incidences of stroke and death, but they were not statistically significant."

The article reminded me how surprised I was when I first heard that myeloma patients generally should NOT take calcium supplements. I had assumed: Myeloma weakens bones, calcium strengthens bones, so calcium supplements must be good for myeloma patients.

But what I didn't realize was that myeloma, in the process of destroying bone material, releases lots and lots of calcium into the bloodstream, which creates mucho problems for myeloma patients. Taking calcium supplements just makes the problem worse. (I once found this webpage, which describes the problem great.)

In any case, the recent news about calcium supplements suggests – or, perhaps, reminds us? – that myeloma patients should also watch their heart health carefully. With all that calcium swimming around in the blood, myeloma patients could face the same extra heart attack risk as people taking calcium supplements.

[Sander]

Re: Calcium supplements and multiple myeloma

by Sander on Mon Apr 20, 2015 9:27 am

Hello,

In regards to the comment on mutiple myeloma and calcium supplements, instinctively I thought it was bad for multiple myeloma patients since they are already hypercalcemic. However, my hematology professor did instruct me to take calcium + vitamin D tablets for multiple myeloma. He said that the added vitamin D would make sure the calcium is brought to the bones, making them stronger.

Have you found any research articles on the subject? I have searched but I haven't found many except for some anecdotal / gut feeling-type of articles.

[EF11]

Re: Calcium supplements and multiple myeloma

by EF11 on Tue Apr 21, 2015 5:51 pm

My husband takes calcium supplements and vitamin D for his myeloma. I am not sure whether his myeloma specialist always recommends this, but it is part of his bone strengthener clinical trial protocol. He is young and low risk for heart attack - perhaps that was taken into account when admitting him to the study.

[Multibilly]

Re: Calcium supplements and multiple myeloma

by Multibilly on Tue Apr 21, 2015 6:36 pm

This is also recommended by the Mayo Clinic in its mSMART guidelines (link to guidelines).

[NStewart]

Re: Calcium supplements and multiple myeloma

by NStewart on Wed Apr 22, 2015 12:03 pm

If you are getting bisphosphonates for your bones, it is recommended that you take calcium supplements in the product circular (at least in the Zometa circular). My primary prescribed a vitamin D3 supplement after testing my blood levels and found that they were almost non-existent. So, I take both on a daily basis and have been doing so for several years.

Nancy in Phila

[Dr. Edward Libby]

Re: Calcium supplements and multiple myeloma

by Dr. Edward Libby on Sat Apr 25, 2015 7:38 pm

Hello from sunny Seattle (its a beautiful day right now),

I think the concern about calcium supplementation in myeloma arises from the fact that many myeloma patients have severe elevations in their calcium at diagnosis. This is a major problem and can damage the kidneys, cause confusion, etc. So, without question, calcium supple­men­tation should be avoided for a few weeks to months in myeloma patients at the time of, and immediately after, diagnosis.

Once the disease stabilizes, however, the standard recommendations for calcium and vitamin D supplementation in adults should be practiced. There is little, if any, research specific to multiple myeloma regarding calcium and vitamin D supplementation in patients with stable, treated, multiple myeloma.

Thank you for bringing your question to the Beacon!

[cdnirene]

Re: Calcium supplements and multiple myeloma

by cdnirene on Wed Sep 30, 2015 1:14 am

Article in the Globe and Mail yesterday states two new studies show that more calcium doesn’t reduce fracture risks or boost bone health in the general population:

Increasing calcium intake does not reduce the risk of fractures or boost bone health and it’s time for policymakers to revise dietary recommendations, according to two new studies published Tuesday in the British Medical Journal.

The researchers reviewed dozens of studies and found that, overall, more calcium did not result in lower fracture rates. In a separate study, they found that while people who consumed more calcium had slightly higher bone mineral density, the increases were too small to have any significant impact on overall bone health. The findings apply to dietary sources of calcium and to supplements, which have come under a cloud in recent years because of studies linking them to heart problems.

Despite this, the public continues to hear that more calcium is better because “many companies with vested interests” in sales of supplements and dairy products “sponsor influential organizations and academic opinion leaders,” lead researcher Dr. Mark Bolland, associate professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, said in an e-mail."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/more-calcium-doesnt-reduce-fracture-risks-or-boost-bone-health-studies/article26590744/