Effect of Calcium Intake and Health Status on Blood Lipids in Middle-aged Women

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to confirm that calcium intake and healthy status play a role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, to assure that calcium intake and regular exercise are important in reducing serum lipid levels in middle-aged women. Daily nutrient intakes were analyzed by convenient method. Anthropometric measurement such as body weight and height and blood pressure were measured. The subjects divided into two groups women in group I under 50 years of age( or = 50 yr group). Average ages of group I and II were 43.87 and 53.46 years. The nutrients intake of subjects were higher than Korean recommended dietary allowances(KRDA) except calorie, iron, calcium, vitamin B1. They showed significant difference each other in vitamin B2(p or = 50 yr group. The levels of serum cholesterol, triglyceride, blood pressure, Atherogenic Index(AI), LDL/HDL and Cardiac Index(CI) were increased with age. The triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations and LDL/HDL in > or = 50 yr group were significantly higher than those of < or = 49 yr group. There was a highly significantly positive correlation between age and triglyceride, total cholesterol and Atherogenic Index(AI). Triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol concentration and Atherogenic Index(AI) were positively correlated with body weight and WHR(waist-hip ratio). Also ther was a significantly negative correlation between exercise and Cardiac Index(CI). Also a significantly negative correlation was found between Ca intake and LDL-cholesterol. Exercise and Cardiac Index(CI) also had a significantly negative relation. The results suggest that increased habitual physical activity and calcium intake should be recommended as a way of decreasing blood lipids and blood pressure in middle-aged women.