Dietary Calcium Intake and the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Han et al., 2019 | Sci Rep | Meta Analysis

Citation

Han Dan, Fang Xuexian, ... Zhang Ronghua. Dietary Calcium Intake and the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sci Rep. 2019-Dec-13;9(1):19046. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-55507-x

Abstract

Growing evidence has suggested a possible relationship between dietary calcium intake and metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk. However, the findings of these observational studies are inconclusive, and the dose-response association between calcium intake and risk of MetS remains to be determined. Here, we identified relevant studies by searching PubMed and Web of Science databases up to December 2018, and selected observational studies reporting relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for MetS based on calcium intake and estimated the summary RRs using random-effects models. Eight cross-sectional and two prospective cohort studies totaling 63,017 participants with 14,906 MetS cases were identified. A significantly reduced risk of MetS was associated with the highest levels of dietary calcium intake (RR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.80-0.99; I2 = 75.3%), with stronger association and less heterogeneity among women (RR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.66-0.83; I2 = 0.0%) than among men (RR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.82-1.37; I2 = 72.6%). Our dose-response analysis revealed that for each 300 mg/day increase in calcium intake, the risk of MetS decreased by 7% (RR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.87-0.99; I2 = 77.7%). In conclusion, our findings suggest that dietary calcium intake may be inversely associated with the risk of MetS. These findings may have important public health implications with respect to preventing the disease. Further studies, in particular longitudinal cohort studies and randomized clinical trials, will be necessary to determine whether calcium supplementation is effective to prevent MetS.

Key Findings

Further studies, in particular longitudinal cohort studies and randomized clinical trials, will be necessary to determine whether calcium supplementation is effective to prevent MetS.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 63017
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Calcium, Dietary
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Young Adult

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: calcium

Provenance


Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09