While calcium is known to strengthen bones and lower cholesterol levels in post-menopausal women, a new study has found it may not provide the same health benefits for men.

According to Reuters, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that although calcium can boost bone strength in men, it does not aid in lowering levels of cholesterol and other harmful blood fats or help with weight loss.

Researchers randomly assigned 323 healthy study participants over the age of 40 to take 600 milligrams of calcium per day, 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day or a placebo for two years.

They found that the supplements didn’t change the ratio of good to bad cholesterol; body weight; fat or muscle mass; triglyceride levels; or total cholesterol levels. There were "downward trends" in the blood pressures of men who took the supplements, however the researchers say they were not statistically significant.

Researchers noted that although calcium supplementation is recommended for men who do not get enough from dietary sources, they cannot justify its use for lowering blood pressure at this time.

Calcium is widely available in nutritional supplement form and through dietary sources like dairy products, broccoli, spinach, salmon and sardines.