Calcium Update

Recent research indicates that other medical conditions besides osteoporosis are affected by the amount of calcium in the diet. Results of medical studies have shown that:

• Calcium supplements slow down bone loss in women after menopause.
• Higher calcium intake increases bone density in adolescent girls.
• Kidney stones occur more often in men who consume low calcium diets.
• Increased calcium intake may reduce the risk of pregnancy related high blood pressure.
• Blood lipid levels are improved in patients taking supplements.
• The tendency of salt to increase blood pressure can be reduced by higher calcium intake.
• The National Institutes of Health recommend adequate calcium intake to prevent high blood pressure

The recently completed NIH Consensus Development Conference on Optimal Calcium Intake recommended that optimal levels of daily calcium intake should be higher for many groups than what is currently suggested in RDA charts.

Specifically, the consensus panel recommended that children and young adults should receive 1200 mg to 1500 mg of calcium daily, men and women over 65 years of age should receive 1500 mg, women and men 25 to 65 should optimally get 1000 mg of calcium per day.

For more information, call the Calcium Information Center at 1-800-321-2681.