Calcium intake and blood pressure: epidemiology revisited

Despite years of investigative effort, the role of calcium in preventing or treating hypertension remains unclear. Comprehensive analyses have provided inconclusive results due to variations in methodology and/or design and, similar to the individual studies, to inconsistent, often conflicting results. However, what these studies have shown is that there are individuals or certain population groups who will benefit from increased calcium use, and that although it may not be the solution to the high prevalence of hypertension or a first-line treatment for hypertension, adequate calcium intake, in conjunction with other nutrients, may be associated with a reduced risk of developing hypertension. Further, based on the available data, it can be recommended that clinical and investigative efforts should be directed at identifying those persons at greater risk who will benefit from increased intake of dietary calcium.