A University of Minnesota Cancer Center study found that women consuming more than 800 mg of calcium each day reduced their risk of colorectal cancer by as much as 26% to 46%. A 26% reduction in risk of colorectal cancer occurred regardless of whether the calcium intake was from diet or supplement. Among women who consumed high levels of calcium from both diet and supplements, the risk reduction was almost double that observed for calcium from either source by itself.

“It is especially notable that the risk reduction was present regardless of the source of the calcium, and that simultaneously consuming high levels of calcium from both diet and supplements further reduced risk,” said study leader Andrew Flood, PhD.

“These observations suggest that it was the calcium per se, and not merely dairy products or some other variable that accounted for the reduction in risk.”

The findings provide further evidence in a growing body of research that indicates a link between calcium and prevention of colorectal cancer.

Source: University of Minnesota, Jan 27, 2005