If you've been worrying whether your daily calcium tablets might be harming your memory, you can breathe a sigh of relief. A groundbreaking new study from Australian universities has delivered reassuring news that should put those concerns firmly to bed.
New research from Edith Cowan University, Curtin University and the University of Western Australia has found no evidence that calcium supplements increase the long-term risk for dementia, with the study tracking 1,460 older women over a five-year period.
For many Australian women over 60, calcium supplements have become as routine as their morning cuppa. Around 20 per cent of women over the age of 70 are affected by osteoporosis, and calcium supplementation is widely recommended as a preventative measure against fracture.
But previous research had cast a shadow over these bone-protecting pills, suggesting they might increase dementia risk.
What this major study discovered
The Perth-based study followed 1,460 community-dwelling Australian women aged 70 and above for 14.5 years, with 269 women (18.4 per cent) developing dementia during this period. Crucially, the numbers were split almost evenly: 128 women taking calcium and 141 women taking fake pills, with rates essentially the same in both groups.
Compared to placebo, calcium supplements did not increase risk of dementia-related events, hospitalisations, or deaths. The results remained consistent even when researchers accounted for factors like genetics, lifestyle, dietary calcium intake, and overall health.
Results from our study provide reassurance to patients and clinicians regarding the safety of calcium supplements in the context of dementia risk for older women
Study snapshot: Perth Longitudinal Study of Aging Women
1,460 Australian women aged 70+
14.5 years of follow-up
1,200mg daily calcium or placebo for 5 years
18.4 per cent developed dementia overall
No difference between calcium and placebo groups
Published in The Lancet Regional Health, October 2025
Why earlier studies got it wrong
You might remember concerning headlines from a few years back. A 2016 study from Sweden suggested women on calcium supplements faced three to seven times higher dementia risk, especially those who'd had strokes. So why the dramatic difference?
The key lies in study design. The Swedish study was observational, looking at women who were already taking calcium and comparing them to women who weren't. The problem? Women taking calcium were probably doing so because they already had weaker bones or other health issues.
Previous research suggesting potential links between calcium supplement use and the risk for dementia was purely observational in nature. The Australian research, in comparison, consisted of a post-hoc analysis from a 5-year double-blind, placebo controlled randomised clinical trial.
What makes this study different
In this study, researchers essentially flipped a coin to decide who got calcium and who got sugar pills. Half of the 1,460 women got real calcium supplements (600 milligrams twice a day), while the other half got identical-looking fake pills. Nobody knew who was getting what during the five-year treatment period from 1998 to 2003.
This study design offers more accurate data on dosage and duration, and researchers had a long follow-up period of 14.5 years, which strengthens the results.
The reassuring numbers
During the study, 269 (18.4 per cent) developed dementia, but there was no difference between the supplement and placebo groups. The hazard ratio for developing dementia among calcium users was 0.90, meaning their risk was essentially the same as that of those who took no calcium.
Even more reassuring, after adjusting for other dementia risk factors, including age, smoking status, physical activity, cardiovascular health, socioeconomic status, and the APOE ε4 gene, the results didn't change.
What this means for you
- Taking calcium supplements doesn't increase your dementia risk
- Previous scary headlines were based on weaker observational studies
- This Australian research used the gold-standard randomised controlled trial method
- Results remained consistent even accounting for genetics and lifestyle factors
- You can continue taking calcium for bone health with confidence
Expert perspectives
Dr Giulio Taglialatela from UTMB Health, who wasn't involved in the study, noted: 'Women over 65 years of age are twice as likely to develop dementia than men. At the same time, a vast majority of postmenopausal women need calcium supplementation to reduce risk of osteoporosis... This study strongly suggests that aging women showing evidence of risk of osteoporosis can be safely treated with calcium without increased risk of dementia'.
Professor Blossom Stephan from Curtin University added: 'Given calcium's critical role in multiple physiological functions, including bone health, these results provide reassurance that long-term calcium supplements did not increase dementia risk in older women'.
Important limitations to keep in mind
While these findings are encouraging, the researchers acknowledge some limitations. The study only involved older white Australian women, and whether this extrapolates to other demographics, such as men or even women commencing supplementation earlier in life, remains unknown.
Dementia diagnoses were based on hospital records and death certificates, which may underestimate total cases, and because dementia was not the primary focus of the original trial, cognitive outcomes weren't measured in depth.
The bottom line for Australian seniors
This research provides much-needed peace of mind for the many Australian women who rely on calcium supplements for bone health. Calcium supplementation for five years did not increase the risk of all-cause dementia events over 14.5 years, and findings do not support concerns that calcium supplementation increases long-term risk of dementia.
However, as with any supplement, it's important to discuss your individual needs with your healthcare provider. As the Alzheimer's Association's Courtney Kloske noted: 'These findings are reassuring for people using calcium to support bone health. However, before starting any supplement, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider to make sure it is appropriate for you'.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Previous concerns about calcium supplements and dementia largely stemmed from observational studies that couldn't account for why women were taking calcium in the first place. This new research used a randomised controlled trial—the gold standard in medical research—where participants were randomly assigned to calcium or placebo groups, eliminating bias about who chooses to take supplements.
The research offers particular reassurance given that bone health becomes increasingly important as we age. With this worry off the table, you can focus on the proven benefits of maintaining adequate calcium intake for strong bones and reduced fracture risk.
What's your experience with calcium supplements? Have you been concerned about potential dementia risks, and does this research change how you feel about taking them? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Primary Source
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/ar...reased-dementia-risk-with-calcium-supplements
Debunking the link between calcium supplements and dementia
Cited text: New research from Edith Cowan University (ECU), Curtin University and the University of Western Australia has found no evidence that calcium monothera...
Excerpt: New research from Edith Cowan University, Curtin University and the University of Western Australia has found no evidence that calcium supplements increase the long-term risk for dementia, with the study tracking 1,460 older women over a…
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-debunking-link-calcium-supplements-dementia.html
Debunking the link between calcium supplements and dementia
Cited text: The study, which leveraged outcomes from prior research that provided calcium supplements or a placebo to 1,460 older women over a five-year period, f...
Excerpt: New research from Edith Cowan University, Curtin University and the University of Western Australia has found no evidence that calcium supplements increase the long-term risk for dementia, with the study tracking 1,460 older women over a…
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-debunking-link-calcium-supplements-dementia.html
Debunking the link between calcium supplements and dementia
Cited text: Around 20 per cent of women over the age of 70 are affected by osteoporosis and calcium supplementation is widely recommended as a preventative measure agains...
Excerpt: Around 20 per cent of women over the age of 70 are affected by osteoporosis, and calcium supplementation is widely recommended as a preventative measure against fracture
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-debunking-link-calcium-supplements-dementia.html
ECU research debunks link between calcium supplements and dementia—Have a Go News
Cited text: Around 20 per cent of women over the age of 70 are affected by osteoporosis and calcium supplementation is widely recommended as a preventative measur...
Excerpt: Around 20 per cent of women over the age of 70 are affected by osteoporosis, and calcium supplementation is widely recommended as a preventative measure against fracture
https://www.haveagonews.com.au/heal...ink-between-calcium-supplements-and-dementia/
Calcium supplementation and the risk of dementia in the Perth Longitudinal Study of Aging Women: a post-hoc analysis of a randomised clinical trial for fracture prevention—ScienceDirect
Cited text: 1460 community-dwelling dementia-free Australian women (≥70 years) were randomised to 1200 mg/day calcium carbonate (n = 730) or placebo (n = 730) for...
Excerpt: The Perth-based study followed 1,460 community-dwelling Australian women aged 70 and above for 14.5 years, with 269 women (18.4 per cent) developing dementia during this period
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666606525002330
Calcium supplementation and the risk of dementia in the Perth Longitudinal Study of Aging Women: a post-hoc analysis of a randomised clinical trial for fracture prevention—ScienceDirect
Cited text: Dementia events were recorded in 269 women (18.4 per cent), comprising 243 hospitalisations (16.6 per cent) or 114 deaths (7.8 per cent).
Excerpt: The Perth-based study followed 1,460 community-dwelling Australian women aged 70 and above for 14.5 years, with 269 women (18.4 per cent) developing dementia during this period
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666606525002330
Calcium Warning Debunked: Supplements Not Linked To Dementia In Older Women
Cited text: The numbers were split almost evenly: 128 women taking calcium and 141 women taking fake pills. The rates were essentially the same in both groups.
Excerpt: the numbers were split almost evenly: 128 women taking calcium and 141 women taking fake pills, with rates essentially the same in both groups
https://studyfinds.org/calcium-warning-supplements-dementia-risk-older-women/
Calcium supplementation and the risk of dementia in the Perth Longitudinal Study of Aging Women: a post-hoc analysis of a randomised clinical trial for fracture prevention—ScienceDirect
Cited text: Compared to placebo, calcium supplements did not increase risk of dementia-related events (unadjusted ITT hazard ratio
0.90, 95 per cent confidence inter...
Excerpt: Compared to placebo, calcium supplements did not increase risk of dementia-related events, hospitalisations, or deaths
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666606525002330
Calcium Warning Debunked: Supplements Not Linked To Dementia In Older Women
Cited text: A 2016 study from Sweden suggested women on calcium supplements faced three to seven times higher dementia risk, especially those who’d had strokes.
Excerpt: A 2016 study from Sweden suggested women on calcium supplements faced three to seven times higher dementia risk, especially those who'd had strokes
https://studyfinds.org/calcium-warning-supplements-dementia-risk-older-women/
Calcium Warning Debunked: Supplements Not Linked To Dementia In Older Women
Cited text: (© O.Farion—stock.adobe.com) This Australian research is different because it comes from a carefully designed experiment, not just observational dat...
Excerpt: The Swedish study was observational, looking at women who were already taking calcium and comparing them to women who weren't
https://studyfinds.org/calcium-warning-supplements-dementia-risk-older-women/
Calcium Warning Debunked: Supplements Not Linked To Dementia In Older Women
Cited text: Women taking calcium were probably doing so because they already had weaker bones or other health issues.
Excerpt: Women taking calcium were probably doing so because they already had weaker bones or other health issues
https://studyfinds.org/calcium-warning-supplements-dementia-risk-older-women/
ECU research debunks link between calcium supplements and dementia—Have a Go News
Cited text: “Previous research suggesting potential links between calcium supplement use and the risk for dementia was purely observational in nature. Our researc...
Excerpt: Previous research suggesting potential links between calcium supplement use and the risk for dementia was purely observational in nature.
https://www.haveagonews.com.au/heal...ink-between-calcium-supplements-and-dementia/
Calcium Warning Debunked: Supplements Not Linked To Dementia In Older Women
Cited text: In this study, researchers flipped a coin (essentially) to decide who got calcium and who got sugar pills. Half of the 1,460 women got real calcium su...
Excerpt: In this study, researchers essentially flipped a coin to decide who got calcium and who got sugar pills.
https://studyfinds.org/calcium-warning-supplements-dementia-risk-older-women/
ECU research debunks link between calcium supplements and dementia—Have a Go News
Cited text: This study design offers more accurate data on dosage and duration, and we had a long follow-up period of 14.5 years, which strengthens our results,” ...
Excerpt: This study design offers more accurate data on dosage and duration, and researchers had a long follow-up period of 14.5 years, which strengthens the results
https://www.haveagonews.com.au/heal...ink-between-calcium-supplements-and-dementia/
Calcium Supplements Safe for Older Women, Don't Increase Dementia Risk
Cited text: During the study, 269 (18.4 per cent) developed dementia, but there was no difference between the supplement and placebo groups. The hazard ratio for developi...
Excerpt: During the study, 269 (18.4 per cent) developed dementia, but there was no difference between the supplement and placebo groups.
https://newatlas.com/health-wellbeing/calcium-supplements-dementia-risk-older-women
Calcium Supplements Safe for Older Women, Don't Increase Dementia Risk
Cited text: Even after adjusting for other dementia risk factors, including age, smoking status, physical activity, cardiovascular health, socioeconomic status, a...
Excerpt: after adjusting for other dementia risk factors, including age, smoking status, physical activity, cardiovascular health, socioeconomic status, and the APOE ε4 gene, the results didn't change
https://newatlas.com/health-wellbeing/calcium-supplements-dementia-risk-older-women
Do daily calcium supplements affect dementia risk?
Cited text: At the same time, a vast majority of postmenopausal women need calcium supplementation to reduce risk of osteoporosis, [which is a] thinning of the bo...
Excerpt: Dr Giulio Taglialatela from UTMB Health, who wasn't involved in the study, noted: 'Women over 65 years of age are twice as likely to develop dementia than men.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/daily-calcium-supplements-not-linked-to-dementia
Calcium Supplements Safe for Older Women, Don't Increase Dementia Risk
Cited text: “Given calcium’s critical role in multiple physiological functions, including bone health, these results provide reassurance that long-term calcium su...
Excerpt: Professor Blossom Stephan from Curtin University added: 'Given calcium's critical role in multiple physiological functions, including bone health, these results provide reassurance that long-term calcium supplements did not increase…
https://newatlas.com/health-wellbeing/calcium-supplements-dementia-risk-older-women
Calcium Supplements Safe for Older Women, Don't Increase Dementia Risk
Cited text: It only involved older white Australian women.
Excerpt: The study only involved older white Australian women
https://newatlas.com/health-wellbeing/calcium-supplements-dementia-risk-older-women
ECU research debunks link between calcium supplements and dementia—Have a Go News
Cited text: “Whether this extrapolates to other demographics, such as men or even women commencing supplementation earlier in life, remains unknown.
Excerpt: whether this extrapolates to other demographics, such as men or even women commencing supplementation earlier in life, remains unknown
https://www.haveagonews.com.au/heal...ink-between-calcium-supplements-and-dementia/
Calcium Supplements Safe for Older Women, Don't Increase Dementia Risk
Cited text: Dementia diagnoses were based on hospital records and death certificates, which may underestimate total cases. Because dementia was not the primary fo...
Excerpt: Dementia diagnoses were based on hospital records and death certificates, which may underestimate total cases, and because dementia was not the primary focus of the original trial, cognitive outcomes weren't measured in depth
https://newatlas.com/health-wellbeing/calcium-supplements-dementia-risk-older-women
Calcium supplementation and the risk of dementia in the Perth Longitudinal Study of Aging Women: a post-hoc analysis of a randomised clinical trial for fracture prevention—ScienceDirect
Cited text: Calcium supplementation for five years did not increase the risk of all-cause dementia events over 14.5 years in community-dwelling older women. Findi...
Excerpt: Calcium supplementation for five years did not increase the risk of all-cause dementia events over 14.5 years, and findings do not support concerns that calcium supplementation increases long-term risk of dementia
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666606525002330
Do daily calcium supplements affect dementia risk?
Cited text: Alzheimer’s Association director of scientific engagement, Courtney Kloske, PhD, who was likewise not involved in the study, noted that “these finding...
Excerpt: As the Alzheimer's Association's Courtney Kloske noted: 'These findings are reassuring for people using calcium to support bone health.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/daily-calcium-supplements-not-linked-to-dementia
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