Calcium supplements may be linked to the development of colon polyps—small, benign growths that could ultimately develop into cancer, according to a new study.
There had been some belief that calcium played a role in colorectal cancer prevention, making it the subject of many studies. While some studies showed that calcium supplements may lower colorectal cancer risk, others suggested no benefit.
“This was an unexpected finding,” said the study’s lead author, Seth D. Crockett, M.D., M.P.H., an epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. “We sort of expected to see either a protective or no effect … so we’re surprised to see the opposite.”
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