Algae-Based Calcium Enhances Bone Mineral Density, Longitudinal Trial Suggests

Photo © iStockphoto.com/archives

A new longitudinal study published in Journal of the American College of Nutrition suggests that AlgaeCal, a vitamin-enhanced, algae-based calcium supplement, improves bone mineral density (BMD) in women who took the supplement from one to seven years. Researchers found that usage of the calcium supplement was associated with a 1.04% linear increase in BMD per year, amounting to a 7.3% total increase over the seven-year study period.

The study included female consumers who had purchased AlgaeCal (AC) for between one and seven years, in addition to completing at least one dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) BMD scan (n=172) and/or blood chemistry test (n=30). These consumers were contacted and offered complimentary repeat tests, which were then used to assess a 45-measurement blood chemistry panel and changes in BMD. Subjects in the AC group had a mean age of 65.1 +/- 7.8 standard deviation. Researchers found no adverse effects or safety concerns in the AC group.

Regarding BMD specifically, subjects taking AC from one to seven years showed a consistent and statistically significant increase to BMD within-group and compared to a 25,885-person control database. AC supplementation was associated with “a significant annualized and linear increase in BMD of 1.04% per year,” but among the control databases, there there was a normative or expected decrease in BMD of 0.4% per year.

Based on the results, researchers concluded that there was no evidence of cardiovascular risk as a result of AC supplementation or diminished AC efficacy from year to year.

“The results are also consistent with earlier short-term studies suggesting that this supplement can facilitate significant increases in total body BMD, in contrast to studies suggesting that calcium supplements can only slow down age-related declines in BMD,” wrote researchers.

AlgaeCal is sourced from marine algae (algas calcareas) and includes strontium, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3, vitamin K as MK-7, vitamin C, Boron, and other trace minerals.

Read more:

New Water-Soluble Boswellia Extract Broadens Joint-Health Applications

Supplements for Seniors: New Research

Study Finds Vitamin K2 MK-7 Efficacy “Essentially Equivalent” in Yogurt and Supplements

Michael Crane
Associate Editor
Nutritional Outlook Magazine
michael.crane@ubm.com

References:

Kaats GR et al., “A 7-year longitudinal trial of the safety and efficacy of a vitamin/mineral enhanced plant-sourced calcium supplement,” Journal of the American College of Nutrition, vol. 35, no. 2 (February 2016): 91–99