Calcium decreases the risk of Colon Cancer

It has been found that calcium plays a role in diminishing the risk of developing cancer in the lower part of the colon. Studies have shown that a daily intake of at least 700 milligrams of calcium decreases the risk of colon cancer. However, any increased intake of calcium does not appear to have any further protection against colon cancer.

Results were collated from 2 studies and the association between calcium intake and colon cancer risk was examined. This was based on nearly 88,000 women in the Nurses' Health Study and more than 47,000 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.

The participants’ diets, weights, smoking habits and alcohol consumption were recorded. Colon examinations were also conducted on them. During the follow-up, which lasted 16 years for the women and 10 years for the men, 626 women and 399 men developed colon cancer.

The study revealed that those participants, gender notwithstanding, who had a calcium intake of 700 to 800 milligrams per day from diet or supplements had a 40% to 50% less chances of getting cancer of the lower colon as compared to those who took 500 milligrams of calcium per day or less.