An elderly friend and Huazi said that when he was doing lung CT, he suggested that there were calcification points in the aorta, why did this happen, would there be a risk? He has osteoporosis and has been taking calcium supplements, is this situation related to calcium supplementation?
Huazi said that many elderly friends will have aortic calcification and coronary artery calcification, which is closely related to atherosclerosis and has little to do with calcium supplementation. Different stages of arterial calcification result in different risks.
First, why do arteries calcifie
Arterial calcification is a pathological manifestation that refers to the calcification of the intima and median membrane in the artery, and a small number of valve calcifications and calcified defenses. Arterial calcification is more common in people with advanced age, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, of which atherosclerosis is the main cause of arterial calcification.
However, so far, the formation mechanism of arterial calcification is not fully understood, and may be related to various factors such as abnormal calcium-phosphorus metabolism, the influence of calcification factors, the aging of vascular smooth muscle cells, oxidative stress and inflammatory response, metabolic disorders, the use of hormones and drugs. Calcium supplementation may have a certain role, but it is not a direct influencing factor.
Second, the risk of arterial calcification
Different stages of arterial calcification have different risks.
In the early and middle stages of calcification, the risk increases. Most arterial calcifications occur at atherosclerotic plaques, and the inconsistency between the calcifications and the plaques affects the stability of the plaques, prone to rupture, and increases the incidence of acute coronary events.
It has been theorized that in the later stages of arterial calcification, the risk is reduced. Because calcification will make the inflammatory response of the plaque subside, and the calcification itself is a stable structure, not easy to break, after a large-scale calcification of the arteries, it is possible to increase the stability of the atherosclerotic plaque, which will have a certain protective effect on the blood vessels.
Third, it is safer to carry out "food supplementation" when supplementing calcium
In a 2006 study, the risk of coronary calcification was increased by 22% compared to those who did not take calcium supplements. Moreover, the total calcium intake is low, and the risk of coronary calcification is high in those who take calcium supplements; the total calcium intake is high, and the risk of coronary calcification is lowest in those who do not take calcium supplements.
That is, if calcium is mainly ingested through the "food supplement" method, the risk of arterial calcification is lowest. However, if consumed with calcium supplementation, the risk of arterial calcification is increased.
However, in the 2016 clinical practice guidelines in the United States, it is recommended that as long as the total calcium intake does not exceed 2000 to 2500mg per day, whether it is through "food supplements" or "drug supplements", it is considered safe for the cardiovascular system.
Fourth, arterial calcification can supplement calcium
The absorption capacity of the elderly population to absorb calcium is weakened, but the human body needs to maintain a stable blood calcium level, and when the calcium intake is insufficient, it will break down bone calcium and release it into the blood, which is prone to osteoporosis. There are many factors that cause arterial calcification, and calcium supplementation is not the main direct cause, so even if there is arteriosclerosis, calcium supplementation can still be obtained.
When supplementing calcium, try to take the "food supplement" method, which is safer and beneficial to the cardiovascular system. However, it should be noted that excessive calcium supplementation may be harmful, Chinese residents dietary nutrient reference intake recommendations, middle-aged and elderly people need to supplement calcium amount of 1000 ~ 1200mg per day, you can eat more dairy products, soy products, vegetables and other foods containing more calcium for supplementation.
Many people do not lack calcium in their diets, but the lack of vitamin D, which promotes calcium absorption, can also cause reduced calcium absorption and osteoporosis. It is recommended that 1 to 2 hours of sun exposure a day can make the skin synthesize vitamin D; it can also be supplemented by eating vitamin D foods such as fish, shrimp, mushrooms, and milk.
If severe osteoporosis has occurred, it can be treated with calcium supplements and vitamin D supplements. Avoid falls or fractures. Otherwise, once the elderly are bedridden, their quality of life will be greatly reduced, and they are also prone to fatal lung infections. At this time, even if the arteries are not calcified, the significance to health is not great.
To sum up, arterial calcification has certain risks, but calcium supplementation is not the direct cause of arterial calcification. Older adults at risk of osteoporosis can supplement calcium even if they have arterial calcifications to reduce the risk of fractures. As long as there is no overdosing of calcium supplementation, it is safe. It is recommended to use calcium supplements under the guidance of a doctor, if you have any doubts about the medication, please consult a doctor or pharmacist. I am a pharmacist Huazi, welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.