(NAPS†)-More good news about a simple strategy-taking a calcium supplement. A study shows that calcium supplements may have benefits that go beyond bones.

The clinical study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that men and women with a history of colorectal adenomas who took calcium supplements daily reduced their risk of recurrence of colorectal adenomas, or polyps. Polyps are small, tumor-like growths that can develop on the surfaces of the colon and rectum. They are known to be precursors of colorectal cancer.

Eight hundred and thirty-two patients were included in the study, which was part of the Calcium Polyp Prevention Study, funded by the National Institute of Health. Patients either received 1200 milligrams of elemental calcium (provided by Caltrate® brand calcium supplements) a day or placebos ("dummy pills"). Over the course of the four-year study, patients who took calcium supplements had a significant decrease in the risk of recurrence of an adenoma and a greater decrease in the overall number of adenomas.

"Adenomas may develop into colorectal cancer. Less than a year into the study we saw positive results due to calcium-fewer adenomas and so less potential for cancer," said John A. Baron, MD, MS, MSc, Professor of Medicine and of Community and Family Medicine, Dartmouth Medical School, and principal investigator of the study. An effect was seen at 9 months and the study continued for 4 years.

Colorectal cancer, or cancer of the colon and the rectum, is the third most common form of cancer in men and women, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). In 2000, colorectal cancer was responsible for and estimated 56,300 deaths, accounting for about 11% of cancer deaths.