Calcium and bone.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the role of calcium on bone health, focusing on its impact during growth and its preventive effects on bone loss and fractures in later life.
Results Summary
Calcium intake influences skeletal calcium retention during growth, affecting peak bone mass, and helps prevent bone loss and osteoporotic fractures in older age. Meta-analyses indicate calcium supplementation reduces bone loss by 0.5-1.2% and fracture risk by at least 10% in older populations.
Population
Children, adults, and older individuals across various ethnic groups.
Effective Dosage
1140 mg/day for white boys, 1300 mg/day for white girls.
Duration
Not specified.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Calcium intake | increase | skeletal calcium retention during growth | - | - | influences | #1 |
Calcium intake | increase | peak bone mass achieved in early adulthood | - | - | affects | #2 |
Increased calcium intake | increase | bone mineral accretion rate | all ethnic groups | up to a threshold level | is associated with increased | #3 |
Calcium | decrease | bone loss | later life | - | plays a role in preventing | #4 |
Calcium | decrease | osteoporotic fractures | later life | - | plays a role in preventing | #5 |
Calcium supplementation | decrease | bone loss | older people | 0.5-1.2% | reduce | #6 |
Calcium supplementation | decrease | the risk of fracture of all types | older people | at least 10% | reduce | #7 |
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the role of calcium on bone health. METHODS: Review of literatures on calcium and bone development during childhood and bone health in adulthood and older age. RESULTS: Calcium intake influences skeletal calcium retention during growth and thus affects peak bone mass achieved in early adulthood. Increased calcium intake is associated with increased bone mineral accretion rate up to a threshold level in all ethnic groups. The minimum intake to achieve maximal retention is 1140 mg/day for white boys and 1300 mg/day for white girls. Calcium also plays a role in preventing bone loss and osteoporotic fractures in later life. Meta-analyses report that calcium supplementation reduce bone loss by 0.5-1.2% and the risk of fracture of all types by at least 10% in older people. Low calcium intake is a widespread problem across countries and age groups. CONCLUSION: Adequate calcium intake throughout lifetime is important for bone health and the prevention of osteoporosis and related fractures.