However, now a study warns that calcium could be doing more harm than good.

Professor Karl Michaelsson who led the Swedish study, said “most people in the U.K.” do not need the pills.

The new research, published in the British Medical Journal, suggests that women over 50 who take calcium are twice as likely to die from heart disease than those who do not.

What is more, as well as increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and heart attacks, women who take the supplements could actually increase their risk of bone fractures.

The 19-year study, carried out at the University of Uppsala, monitored the calcium intake of 61,443 women born between 1914 and 1940 -- taking into consideration their menopausal status and whether they were on HRT.

Linking the data with the amount of calcium found in the body after death, the study found that the majority of women who died from heart and cardiovascular disease had a much higher than average calcium intake.

Those with a calcium intake of 1,400mg a day were at the highest risk of cardiovascular or heart disease. Professor Michaelsson estimated that half of middle-aged and older women in Britain are taking calcium supplements, many unnecessarily.

He said, “Those who have low calcium intakes perhaps should take them, maybe if they do not take dairy products.

“However, those who eat a little cheese or yoghurt simply don’t need supplements. In fact this study shows they could have very serious underlining health implications.”

Claire Bowring, medical policy manager for the National Osteoporosis Society, urged women not to panic but added, “We would encourage people to look at their diet first before taking supplements.”

Calcium-rich foods include dairy products, leafy green vegetables and certain tinned fish.

Maureen Talbot, of the British Heart Foundation, said, “This research does not prove that long-term calcium intake directly contributes to the onset of cardiovascular disease in women.

“However, the link does warrant more research to establish if calcium intake can directly cause heart problems.”

The new research, published in the British Medical Journal, suggests that women over 50 who take calcium are twice as likely to die from heart disease than those who do not.

What’s more, as well as increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and heart attacks, women who take the supplements could actually increase their risk of bone fractures.

The 19-year study, carried out at the University of Uppsala, monitored the calcium intake of 61,443 women born between 1914 and 1940 -- taking into consideration their menopausal status and whether they were on HRT.

Linking the data with the amount of calcium found in the body after death, the study found that the majority of women who died from heart and cardiovascular disease had a much higher than average calcium intake.

Those with a calcium intake of 1,400mg a day were at the highest risk of cardiovascular or heart disease. Professor Michaelsson estimated that half of middle-aged and older women in Britain are taking calcium supplements, many unnecessarily.

He said, “Those who have low calcium intakes perhaps should take them, maybe if they do not take dairy products.

“However, those who eat a little cheese or yoghurt simply don’t need supplements. In fact this study shows they could have very serious underlining health implications.”

Claire Bowring, medical policy manager for the National Osteoporosis Society, urged women not to panic but added, “We would encourage people to look at their diet first before taking supplements.”

Calcium-rich foods include dairy products, leafy green vegetables and certain tinned fish.

Maureen Talbot, of the British Heart Foundation, said, “This research does not prove that long-term calcium intake directly contributes to the onset of cardiovascular disease in women.

“However, the link does warrant more research to establish if calcium intake can directly cause heart problems.”