Study: Daily Calcium Significantly Cuts Risk of Colon Cancer

Harvard researchers report that for people whose diets are low in calcium, a modest increase appears to substantially reduce the risk of some types of colon cancer.

The researchers evaluated the diet and colon cancer history of 135,000 men and women who took part in two large studies, and found that those who consumed approximately 700 milligrams of calcium daily had a 40 to 50 percent lower risk of left-side colon cancer.

Calcium did not appear to provide increased protection against types of colon cancer.

The left side of the colon includes the last segment of the large intestine. The right side is higher up the gut and attached to the small intestine.

The researchers also reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that consuming amounts of calcium significantly higher than the 700 milligrams daily did not appear to further reduce the risk of colon cancer.

The researchers concluded that increasing calcium intake to 700 milligrams daily "is associated with a reduced risk of distal colon cancer."

Other sources: Journal of the National Cancer Institute