Calcium Supplementation: How To Get Enough

Calcium Supplementation: How To Get Enough Posted By:
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Nutritional supplements (ie, vitamins, minerals, and herbs) are a multibillion-dollar industry in the US. Many people learn about supplements from pop-culture sources across the internet and social media platforms—rather than scientific, evidence-based resources.

However, one evidence-based supplement that has been a time-honored recommendation for years is calcium. Adequate calcium supports bone, muscle, cardiac function, blood clotting, and dental health. Dosing recommendations vary depending on the reason for the recommendation, the age and gender of the patient, conditions such as pregnancy or menopause, other comorbid conditions, and concomitant medications.

According to the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (formerly the National Osteoporosis Foundation) and the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements, the daily recommended calcium intake for women aged 51 years and older is 1200 mg. Because of co-nutrient consumption, it is preferred that calcium comes from food sources. The highest calcium-rich food sources in the US include dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, as well as a variety of calcium-fortified foods such as tofu, cereals, and juices. When dietary calcium intake is insufficient, calcium supplements are recommended to reach the daily requirement. Although calcium alone will not increase bone density in older women if other vitamins and minerals are not at adequate levels, inadequate amounts of calcium alone are enough to decrease bone strength, creating the risk for osteopenia or osteoporosis.

The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation's website has a Health Professionals Toolkit as well as information for patients from many evidence-based resources. Included are calcium-intake calculators to help patients determine their approximate daily calcium intake from food sources, which can help to reinforce and understand the need (if any) for supplementation. Check out these websites to stay updated on calcium and bone health to provide expert patient care.

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Filed under: Preventive Medicine

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