Whether it's back pain, bone discomfort, or poor sleep—many people treat calcium as a "cure-all." However, a new study published in the August issue of Chinese Journal of Epidemiology warns that excessively high blood calcium levels may increase the risk of liver cirrhosis.
Researchers from the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences analyzed participants from a nutritional intervention trial in Lin County, Henan Province. They tested serum calcium concentrations and biochemical indicators like hepatitis virus antibodies in 281 cirrhosis patients and 562 controls.The findings revealed that serum calcium levels in the cirrhosis group (1.81 ± 0.84 mmol/L) were significantly higher than those in the control group (1.65 ± 0.79 mmol/L). This association was positively correlated, meaning higher blood calcium concentrations were associated with a greater risk of cirrhosis. Specifically, individuals with the highest blood calcium levels may face a twofold increased risk of developing cirrhosis.
Researchers noted that the precise mechanism linking blood calcium levels to cirrhosis remains unclear, though it may involve impaired liver metabolic function. However, this new study cautions that nutritional supplementation can be counterproductive—excessive calcium intake may do more harm than good.