Bone is complex, living tissue that stores up to 99% of the body's total calcium. Bone is made up of very small crystals containing chiefly calcium phosphates, which are set into the protein matrix of the bone, along with blood and lymph vessels, nerves and bone marrow. The nutrients needed for bone metabolism pass easily from the blood vessels into the fluid surrounding these crystals.
The remaining 1% of calcium is in blood and soft tissues, and is essential to sustain life and health. Calicum salts are needed to help with rhythmic heart and intestinal contractions, as well as for normal muscular action and growth. Calcium ions are also an important component of the blood clotting mechanism.
The body loses calcium daily through urine, feces, sweat, hair, nails and skin. If there is not enough dietary calcium intake to help replenish this loss and meet the body's physiologic requirements, the body's storehouse of calcium - bone - is called upon to release calcium into the blood. Prolonged removal of calcium over time, without adequate dietary replacement, will eventually leave bones weak and more prone to breaking.
Adequate Intake guidelines for dietary calcium:
(National Academy of Sciences, 2002)
|
AGE |
Adequate Intake (milligrams/day) |
Upper Limit (milligrams/day) |
|
0-6 months |
210 |
|
|
7-12 months |
270 |
|
|
1-3 years |
500 |
2,500 |
|
4-8 years |
800 |
2,500 |
|
9-18 years |
1,300 |
2,500 |
|
19-50 years |
1,000 |
2,500 |
|
51 years+ |
1,200 |
2,500 |
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