ID 225 - Wapń

PL: Wapń
EN: Calcium
Pdf: calcium

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is calcium, which is a well recognised nutrient and is measurable in foods by established methods. Calcium occurs naturally in foods in many forms which are generally well utilised by the body. Different forms of calcium are authorised for addition to foods and for use in food supplements (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/20064 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC5). This evaluation applies to calcium naturally present in foods and those forms authorised for addition to foods and for use in food supplements (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC).
The Panel considers that the food constituent, calcium, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.

2.6. Utrzymanie prawidłowego ciśnienia tętniczego (ID 225, 385, 1419)

The claimed effects are “blood pressure”, “cardiovascular system” and “healthy heart”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel notes that the claimed effect relates to the maintenance of a normal blood pressure.
Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure (force per unit area) exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. Elevated BP, by convention above 140mmHg (systolic) and/or 90mmHg (diastolic), may compromise the normal function of the arteries.
The Panel considers that maintaining a normal blood pressure is beneficial to human health.

3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka - 

More than 99% of the total calcium in the body is located in bones and teeth and contributes to their mass, structure and strength. Besides this structural role, calcium acts as an intracellular messenger and as a cofactor for extracellular enzymes and proteins (IoM, 1997).

3.6. Utrzymanie prawidłowego ciśnienia tętniczego (ID 225, 385, 1419)

Some mechanisms have been proposed for an effect of dietary calcium on blood pressure on the basis of experimental animal models of hypertension (Hatton and McCarron, 1994).
The effects of dietary calcium intake on blood pressure have also been investigated in humans. A meta-analysis of 23 observational epidemiological studies (total of 38,950 subjects) showed a weak significant negative association between habitual calcium intake and blood pressure, i.e. -0.39 mmHg systolic and -0.34 mmHg diastolic per 100 mg of dietary calcium per day (Cappuccio et al., 1995; Birkett, 1998). In contrast, in a more recent study, dietary calcium intake was positively associated with changes in blood pressure over 8 years in 1,714 middle-aged men from the Chicago Western Electric Study (Stamler et al., 2002). The mean calcium intake in this cohort was 1,019 (SD 446) mg/d. Calcium intake was not related to blood pressure in 3,239 participants aged 55 years and over in the Rotterdam Study, except for a subgroup of hypertensive subjects where an inverse association was found (Geleijnse et al, 1996). Wang et al. (2008) examined the relationship of dietary calcium intake with incident hypertension in 28,886 US women. Daily calcium intake ranged from <558 mg (bottom quintile) to >1000 mg (upper quintile). The risk of hypertension was 11-13% lower in subjects with a calcium intake >679 mg/day. The Panel notes that results form observational studies on the relationship between dietary calcium intake and blood pressure are inconsistent.
The evidence provided by several meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials (Allender et al., 1996; Bucher et al., 1996; Griffith et al., 1999; Van Mierlo et al., 2006) indicate a small beneficial effect of calcium supplementation on blood pressure. Reductions of up to 2 mmHg systolic and 1 mmHg diastolic have been achieved with calcium doses around 1 g per day (range 400-2000 mg/d). Findings,
however, are heterogeneous with around 30% of the studies showing an increase rather than a decrease in systolic blood pressure during calcium supplementation (Van Mierlo et al., 2006). Also, the evidence provided by consensus opinions/reports from authoritative bodies and reviews shows that there is no consensus on the effects of dietary calcium on blood pressure in humans (Appel et al., 2006; Mancia et al., 2007). The American Heart Association in their scientific statement on dietary approaches to prevent and treat hypertension considered data insufficient to recommend supplemental calcium as a means to lower blood pressure (Appel et al., 2006). In 2007, the European Society of Hypertension and of the European Society of Cardiology published their joint Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension. The Committee stated that the evidence for a blood pressure lowering effect of supplemental calcium is equivocal (Mancia et al., 2007).
In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into account that the evidence contained in consensus opinions/reports from authoritative bodies and reviews is equivocal, that there is no consensus on the effects of dietary calcium on blood pressure in humans, that results form observational studies on the relationship between dietary calcium intake and blood pressure are inconsistent, and that around 30% of the intervention studies show an increase rather than a decrease in systolic blood pressure during calcium supplementation.
The Panel considers that the evidence presented is insufficient to establish a cause and effect relationship between the dietary intake of calcium and the maintenance of a normal blood pressure.

5. Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

The Panel considers that in order to bear the claim a food should be at least a source of calcium as per Annex to Regulation (EC) 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced
diet. No Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) have been established for calcium in children and adolescents; the UL for calcium in adults is 2500 mg/day (SCF, 2003).

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

Must at least be a source of mineral/s as per annex to regulation 1924/2006