The Institute of Medicine considered calcium because “…there is concern that some may not
be obtaining sufficient amounts given the foods they eat. Calcium has been increasingly
added to foods, and calcium supplement use, particularly among older
persons, is widespread.” According to the IOM, “Adolescents need higher levels to
support bone growth: 1,300 milligrams per day meets the needs of nearly all adolescents.
For practically all adults ages 19 through 50 and for men until age 71, 1,000
milligrams daily meets calcium needs. Women over 50 and both men and women 71
and older need no more than 1,200 milligrams per day. National surveys in both the
United States and Canada indicate that calcium may remain a nutrient of concern,
especially for girls ages 9–18.”
The IOM concluded that calcium intakes over 2,000 milligrams per day increase
the risk for harm and that some postmenopausal women taking supplements may
be getting too much calcium, thereby increasing their risk for kidney stones. The
IOM report warned: “As North Americans take more supplements and eat more of
foods that have been fortified with vitamin D and calcium, it becomes more likely
that people consume high amounts of these nutrients.”
The IOM looked at a variety of other health conditions, possibly linked to a lack
of vitamin D and calcium. They concluded that “Outcomes related to cancer/neoplasms,
cardiovascular disease and hypertension, diabetes and metabolic syndrome,
falls and physical performance, immune functioning and autoimmune disorders,
infections, neuropsychological functioning, and preeclampsia could not be linked
reliably with calcium or vitamin D intake.”
Since the IOM report was released, a substantial body of research has provided
additional information about the links between vitamin D and Health. A regimen
of high doses of vitamin D given to postmenopausal women found that increased
calcium absorption was very small and did not translate into beneficial effects on
bone mineral density, muscle function, muscle mass, or falls. The study authors
concluded that “We found no data to support experts’ recommendations to maintain
serum 25(OH)D levels of 30 ng/mL or higher in postmenopausal women.”
This blog presents opinions and ideas and is intended to provide helpful general information. I am not engaged in rendering advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures and suggestions in that are presented are not in any way a substitute for the advice and care of the reader’s own physician or other medical professional based on the reader’s own individual conditions, symptoms or concerns. If the reader needs personal medical, health, dietary, exercise or other assistance or advice the reader should consult a physician and/or other qualified health professionals. The author specifically disclaims all responsibility for any injury, damage or loss that the reader may incur as a direct or indirect consequence of following any directions or suggestions given in this blog or participating in any programs described in this blog or in the book, The Building Blocks of Health––How to Optimize Your Health with a Lifestyle Checklist (available in print or downloaded at Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble and elsewhere). Copyright 2021 by J. Joseph Speidel
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