Qualified health claims for calcium and colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's evidence-based review

Nutr Cancer. 2009;61(2):157-64. doi: 10.1080/01635580802395741.

Abstract

In 2003, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received a health claim petition for calcium supplements and reduced risk of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers. Health claims characterize the relationship between a substance (food or food component) and disease (e.g., cancer or cardiovascular disease) or health-related condition (e.g., hypertension) and require premarket approval for the labeling of conventional foods and dietary supplements by the FDA. This review describes how the FDA used the evidence-based review system to evaluate the scientific evidence for these proposed health claims. FDA found no credible evidence to support health claims for calcium and a reduced risk of breast and prostate cancers. The agency did find limited evidence for the relationship between calcium intake and colorectal cancer risk.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Calcium, Dietary / administration & dosage*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Female
  • Health Promotion
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Factors
  • United States
  • United States Food and Drug Administration*

Substances

  • Calcium, Dietary