We need lots of calcium for strong bones, especially as we age.
Or do we?
A top doctor is questioning the conventional wisdom about bone health, warning that daily calcium supplements commonly recommended for women are not only unnecessary, they can do grave harm.
“As a treatment for osteoporosis, calcium does more harm than good,” says Thomas Levy, M.D., author of the groundbreaking new book Death by Calcium.
“The real problem is not a lack of calcium in the diet, but rather a relocation of calcium from the bones to other areas of the body,” he tells Newsmax Health.
Dr. Levy, a board-certified cardiologist, says that in people with osteoporosis, the bones are not able to absorb and use calcium efficiently. Instead, the mineral is deposited in other places, such as arteries, where it causes damage. In some cases, the danger can be life threatening, he says.
“Excess calcium promotes a host of health problems including heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and chronic diseases,” says Dr. Levy. “In fact, it increases all-cause mortality by 250 percent.”
Very few Americans are deficient in calcium, he says, because the mineral is abundant in our food, even in unhealthy, processed foods.
Preventing or treating osteoporosis requires a two-pronged approach that includes reducing calcium overload and taking supplements the body needs to utilize calcium to strengthen bones.
Here’s Dr. Levy’s four-point plan to strengthen bones while avoiding the dangers of too much calcium:
1. Be selective with dairy. Avoid milk because of its high calcium content. Meat, eggs, and vegetables provide enough calcium. Eat some dairy that is higher in fat and low in calcium, which includes cream, sour cream, and butter. Higher-quality ice cream is more likely to be made of cream, rather than milk.
2. Counteract calcium with magnesium. Before you eat dairy, take a supplement with 100 to 300 mg of magnesium glycinate. It helps prevent calcium from being deposited in arteries.
3. Avoid other sources of calcium overload. Don’t take calcium-based antacids or calcium supplements. Avoid foods with added calcium, which can include orange juices, non-dairy milks (such as rice milk and soymilk), tofu, cereals, and baked goods.
4. Exercise to the point of sweating. Working up a sweat through exercise and spending time in a sauna help eliminate excess calcium and other toxins. And, weight-bearing exercise, such as walking and weightlifting, builds stronger bones and helps the heart.
Studies that seem to show a need for extra calcium are often misinterpreted by doctors, Dr. Levy says. Women taking calcium show slightly better bone density on scans, but this is only a cosmetic improvement. While their bones are dense, strength and fracture-resistance is actually lower, he said.
The full version of this article appeared in Health Radar newsletter. To read more, click here.
© 2026 NewsmaxHealth. All rights reserved.