Finding consensus in the dietary calcium-blood pressure debate

No single study or avenue of investigation can resolve the scientific contr oversies that entangle efforts to determine the effects of specific nutrien ts on medical conditions. To reach consensus in this area requires a substa ntial body of plausible, reproducible and consistent data from various inve stigative approaches-such as the data that now exist regarding the relation ship between dietary calcium and blood pressure. In this paper we describe the plethora of epidemiological and clinical studies and analyses that have been published in the last two years and which cumulatively reveal the con sistency of the available data regarding the influence of dietary calcium o n blood pressure regulation. Nearly 20 years of investigation in this area has culminated in remarkable and compelling agreement in the data, confirmi ng the need for and benefit of regular consumption of the recommended daily levels of dietary calcium.