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Calcium Intake and Bone Density: A Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Robert G. McCulloch  and
Donald A. Bailey
Robert G. McCulloch
Affiliation:
Faculty of Physical Activity Studies, University of Regina
Donald A. Bailey
Affiliation:
College of Physical Education, University of Saskatchewan
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Abstract

Controversy continues over the relationship between calcium intake and bone density in women. Epidemiological evidence does not strongly support the conclusion that high levels of dietary calcium during the postmenopausal years influence the extent or rate of bone loss. Dietary calcium in the growing years may be a determinant of peak adult bone density attained at maturity. Experimental trials do not appear to support the contention that calcium supplementation will restore lost bone in healthy or osteoporotic postmenopausal women. However, an increased calcium intake to an optimal individual level may slow the rate of bone loss in postmenopausal women. The cross-sectional and controlled investigations regarding the relationship between calcium intake and bone density will be discussed in this review.

Résumé

Le rapport soupçonné d'exister entre la densité des tissus osseux chez les femmes et la quantité de calcium qu'elles consomment continue de soulever une controverse. Selon certaines études épidémiologiques, un régime alimentaire comportant une forte dose de calcium durant les années post-ménopausiques ne change sensiblement pas l'importance des pertes de tissus osseux ou la vitesse à laquelle celles-ci s'effectuent. Les doses de calcium ingérées durant les années de croissance sembleraient être un des facteurs déterminant la densité maximum des tissus osseux chez les adultes. Selon quelques études préliminaires, un supplément de calcium ne pourrait restaurer la perte de tissus osseux chez les femmes post-ménopausiques en santé ou chez celles qui souffrent d'ostéoporose. Cependant, une dose croissante de calcium atteignant le niveau individuel optimal pourrait ralentir le processus de perte en marche chez les femmes post-ménopausiques. Les études transversales et controlées concernant le rapport entre les doses de calcium ingérées et la densité des tissus osseux font l'objet de cette revue.

Keywords

Bone DensityDietCalcium.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 9 , Issue 2 , Summer/Été 1990 , pp. 167 - 176
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1990

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