Document Detail


Calcium needs of the elderly to reduce fracture risk.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  11349942     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Contemporary calcium intakes in the industrialized nations are substantially lower than those to which human physiology is adapted by evolution. As a result, compensatory adjustment is required lifelong. This adjustment consists of high levels of parathyroid activity, leading to parathyroid hyperplasia, high circulating levels of 1,25(OH)2D and high bone turnover. The capacity of these compensatory mechanisms to provide sufficient calcium to offset daily losses from the body declines with age; hence, increasingly the body tears down bone to access its calcium. As a result, the calcium requirement for skeletal maintenance is said to rise with age. Supplemented intakes to a total in the range of 32.5-42.5 mmol (1300-1700 mg)/day have been shown to arrest age-related bone loss and to reduce fracture risk in individuals 65 and older and intakes of 60 mmol (2400 mg), to restore the setting of the parathyroid glands to young adult values. Intakes at such levels also minimize the expression of other disorders such as colon cancer, hypertension and obesity, all of which, while multifactorial, have a calcium deficiency component. Milk, mainly because of constructive interactions among its several key nutrients, is probably the most nutritionally and cost effective way of meeting the calcium requirement in the elderly.
Authors:
R P Heaney
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of the American College of Nutrition     Volume:  20     ISSN:  0731-5724     ISO Abbreviation:  J Am Coll Nutr     Publication Date:  2001 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2001-05-14     Completed Date:  2001-11-01     Revised Date:  2008-06-23    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8215879     Medline TA:  J Am Coll Nutr     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  192S-197S     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Creighton University, Osteoporosis Research Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, USA. rheaney@creighton.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aged
Aging / physiology*
Bone Resorption
Calcium, Dietary / administration & dosage*,  metabolism*
Female
Fractures, Bone / etiology*,  prevention & control
Humans
Male
Nutritional Requirements
Parathyroid Glands / physiology*
Risk Factors
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Calcium, Dietary

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