Calcium supplementation does not affect CRP levels in postmenopausal women--a randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Bone Metabolism

Background:

• Epidemiological studies suggest calcium supplementation may reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
• C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker and a CVD risk factor.
• CRP production may be influenced by parathyroid hormone.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of daily calcium supplementation on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in healthy postmenopausal women.
• To examine the relationship between CRP, bone mineral density (BMD), and markers of metabolic syndrome.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving healthy postmenopausal women.
• Measurement of high-sensitivity CRP at baseline and 12 months.
• Assessment of anthropometric measures, BMD, and metabolic syndrome markers.

Main Results:

• Baseline CRP levels positively correlated with body weight, fat indices, and BMD, but these associations were lost after adjusting for body weight.
• Consistent associations were observed between CRP levels and markers of metabolic syndrome, including fat mass, triglycerides, and fasting glucose.
• No significant difference in CRP levels was found between the calcium supplementation group and the placebo group after 1 year.

Conclusions:

• Calcium supplementation (1 g daily) did not affect CRP levels in healthy postmenopausal women over 1 year.
• CRP levels are associated with insulin resistance features but do not predict BMD or CVD risk in this population.
• The findings suggest calcium's role in CVD prevention may not be mediated through modulation of CRP levels.