Until now it was believed that calcium and vitamin D supplements lower cholesterol levels, reducing the risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, but a recent study shows that supporting evidence is thin.

The study involved 1191 post-menopausal women, half of which were given calcium and vitamin D supplements and half took identical looking placebos. Scientist from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY, found no differences between the two groups in the cholesterol levels after a five year period of supplementation.

Dr. Swapnil Rajpathak, lead author of the study, pointed out that the study has its limitation because the participants were all older woman and since the calcium and vitamin D were taken simultaneously they couldn’t tease out the supplements independent effects.  Also it is difficult to say how younger women or men may respond to the same supplements.

“High intake of calcium and vitamin D may be useful for other health-related outcomes,” said Rajpathak, so don’t throw out your vitamins just yet.