This comparison of the effects of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin D on cardiovascular (CV) calcification and<br />bone has shown that in general the micronutrients that promote bone health also protect the arteries. We have shown that<br />adequate amounts of all three minerals should be ingested, paying particular attention to supplementing calcium to bind high<br />phosphorus and to ensure the maximum benefit from supplementing vitamin D. It appears that the optimum intake for bone is<br />>800 mg/d calcium, with postmenopausal women possibly requiring a total intake of >1100mg/d. Both CV and bone studies<br />suggest achieving a serum 25(OH)D level of >75nmol/l. These relationships are valid for a Caucasian population, however,<br />and may not hold in African Americans and Asians. The recent concerns that calcium supplementation may increase CV<br />disease risk has largely proved groundless, with higher calcium intake improving dyslipidaemia, hypertension and mortality.<br />With respect to higher serum phosphate, there is an association with CV calcification and CVD risk even within the normal<br />range, suggesting that the reference ranges may need to be redefined for ‘at risk’ patients. CV calcification was reduced in<br />CKD patients with magnesium intake in the range 384-669mg/d. When considering the complex interplay of the action of the<br />minerals together with their regulators vitamin D, PTH and FGF23, it is clear that this is a very sophisticated system which<br />attempts to maintain calcium homeostasis to the possible detriment of bone and arteries. This reinforces the need to ensure<br />adequate calcium intake before supplementing vitamin D.