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Calcium nutrition and metabolism.
1Department of BioStructure and Function, The University of Connecticut Health Center, Building 26, Room 1007, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-6125, USA. bronner@neuron.uchc.edu
Dental Clinics of North America
|April 18, 2003
Summary
Maintaining adequate calcium intake is crucial for bone health throughout life. Ensuring sufficient calcium, especially during youth and adulthood, prevents the body from depleting skeletal calcium reserves.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Bone Biology
- Calcium Metabolism
Background:
- The skeleton serves as the body's primary calcium reservoir.
- Adequate calcium intake is vital for skeletal maintenance across the lifespan.
- Peak bone mass is achieved by the third decade of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the importance of lifelong calcium intake for skeletal health.
- To highlight critical periods for calcium accretion and maintenance.
- To explain the consequences of calcium deficiency on skeletal integrity.
Main Methods:
- Review of established physiological roles of calcium.
- Analysis of calcium absorption efficiency throughout life.
- Examination of skeletal response to varying calcium intake levels.
Main Results:
- Sufficient calcium intake is essential for building and maintaining bone mass.
- Calcium absorption efficiency decreases with age, necessitating consistent intake.
- Calcium deficiency can lead to increased bone turnover as the body mobilces skeletal calcium.
Conclusions:
- Lifelong adequate calcium intake is critical for preventing skeletal calcium loss.
- Maintaining calcium intake around 1000 mg daily is recommended for adults.
- The body prioritizes calcium for physiological functions over skeletal maintenance when intake is insufficient.