Osteoporosis: the role of calcium intake and supplementation

The role of calcium in age-related bone loss still is controversial. However, evidence is accumulating to support the hypothesis that an adequate calcium intake early in life, because of its relationship to peak bone mass, may be of greater importance than is the calcium intake in later life. Calcium intake would appear to be declining with age due to the changing food habits that are associated with social and technological change. This is explained partly by the increasing concern about obesity in Western society, with the trend for women to restrict their energy intake, rather than to increase their energy expenditure, to control weight. Thus, low energy intakes and the avoidance of dairy foods have contributed to the declining intakes of calcium and other minerals. Health educational programmes, which are designed to prevent osteoporosis and which identify women who are most at risk of the disease, should provide sensible nutritional advice on an adequate calcium intake and regular weight-bearing exercise among other life-style changes.