Combined supplementation with vitamin D and calcium may improve blood sugar and insulin levels. There are conflicting opinions about the value and risks of calcium supplements for diabetics. “According to an Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS), high calcium serum concentrations are associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.”

One person said, “My mom’s geriatric doctor stopped her calcium supplements all together. She said that by your 30s your body/bones will absorb all the calcium it can, and after that it’s done.”

Other studies say that “vitamin D and calcium insufficiency may negatively influence glycemia, whereas combined supplementation with both nutrients may be beneficial in optimizing glucose metabolism.” Another reports that “zinc, calcium, and magnesium cut chances of type 2 diabetes; and calcium intake by men and women and high vitamin D levels in men lowered insulin levels, in three studies.”

DISCLAIMER: Consult your doctor before changing your calcium supplement protocol.

References

“Calcium Concentration Tied to Diabetes,” Diabetes in Control (October 3, 2013). http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/calcium-concentration-tied-to-diabetes/ (accessed on 8/3/2020).

Pittas, Anastassios G., et. al. “The Role of Vitamin D and Calcium in Type 2 Diabetes.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 92, Issue 6, 1 June 2007, Pages 2017-2029, https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2007-0298. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/92/6/2017/2623152/The-Role-of-Vitamin-D-and-Calcium-in-Type-2 (accessed on 8/3/2020).

“Zinc, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D cut risk of diabetes,” Nutrition Express, n.d. https://www.nutritionexpress.com/article+index/health+concerns/diabetes/showarticle.aspx?id=1138 (accessed on 8/3/2020).

A Warning About Calcium Supplements
Women who take calcium supplements in addition to having a high-calcium diet may be at increased risk of death from all causes, and particularly from cardiovascular disease.
https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/a-warning-about-calcium-supplements/

Association Between Calcium or Vitamin D Supplementation and Fracture Incidence in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2667071

Calcium intake and risk of fracture: systematic review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4784799/

Is Excess Calcium Harmful to Health?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257663/