Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2brh9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T20:02:01.878Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

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
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

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

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Albanese, A.A., Edelson, A.H., Lorenze, E.J., Woodhull, M.L. and Wein, E.H. (1975). Problems of bone health in the elderly. New York State Journal of Medicine, 75, 326–336.Google Scholar
Avioli, L.V. (1987). The calcium controversy and the recommended dietary allowance. In Avioli, L. (Ed.) The Osteoporotic Syndrome: Detection, Prevention and Treatment (2nd ed.), (pp. 57–66). Toronto: Grune and Stratton, Inc.Google Scholar
Bauer, W., Aub, J.C. and Albright, F. (1929). Studies of calcium and phosphorus metabolism. A study of the bone trabeculae as a readily available reserve supply of calcium. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 49, 145–161.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bell, G.H., Cuthbertson, D.P. and Orr, J.B. (1941). The strength and size of bone in relation to calcium intake. Journal of Physiology, 100, 299–317.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bodansky, M. and Duff, V.B. (1939). Regulation of the level of calcium in the serum during pregnancy. Journal of American Medical Association, 112, 223–229.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cummings, S.R., Kelsey, J.L., Nevitt, M.C. and O'Dowd, K.J. (1985). Epidemiology of osteoporotic fractures. Epidemiologic Reviews, 7, 178–208.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Department of Health and Social Security, London. (1979). Recommended daily amounts of food energy and nutrients for groups of people in the United Kingdom (Report No. 15). London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office.Google Scholar
Ettinger, B., Genant, H.K. and Cann, C.E. (1987). Postmenopausal bone loss is prevented by low dosage estrogen with calcium. Annals of Internal Medicine, 106, 40–45.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Falch, J.A. (1984). Calcium intake and tobacco smoking do not influence the rate of perimenopausal bone loss. Calcified Tissue International, 36 (Suppl. 2), 195.Google Scholar
Gallagher, J.C., Melton, C.C., Riggs, B.L. and Bergstrath, E. (1980) Epidemiology of fractures of the proximal femur in Rochester, Minnesota. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 150, 163–171.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Garn, S.M. (1970). The earlier gain and later loss of cortical bone. Springfield, Illinois: C.C. Thomas.Google Scholar
Garn, S.M., Solomon, M.A. and Friedl, . (1981). Calcium intake and bone quality in the elderly. Ecology of Food and Nutrition, 10, 131–133.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Greaves, J.P. and Hollingsworth, D.H. (1966). Trends in food consumption in the United Kingdom. World Review of Nutrition and diet, 6, 35.Google ScholarPubMed
Hansson, T. and Roos, B. (1987). The effect of fluoride and calcium on spinal bone mineral content: A controlled prospective (3 years) study. Calcified Tissue International, 40, 315–317.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hantman, D.A., Vogel, J.M., Donaldson, C.L., Friedman, R., Goldsmith, R.S. and Hulley, S.B. (1973). Attempts to prevent disuse osteoporosis by treatment with calcitonin longitudinal compression and supplementary calcium and phosphate. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 36, 845–858.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Health and Welfare Canada. (1983). Recommended nutrient intakes for Canadians. Ottawa: Canadian Government Publishing Centre.Google Scholar
Heaney, R.P. (1986a). Calcium, bone health and osteoporosis. In Peck, W.A. (Ed.) Bone and Mineral Research/4 (pp. 255–301). Netherlands: Elsevier Science Publishers.Google Scholar
Heaney, R.P. (1986b). Calcium bioavailability. Modern Medicine of Canada, 41, GP7–GP16.Google Scholar
Heaney, R.P. (1987). The role of calcium in prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 15, 83–88.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Heaney, R.P., Gallagher, J.C., Johnston, C.C., Neer, R., Parfitt, A.M., Chir, B. and Whedon, G.D. (1982). Calcium nutrition and bone health in the elderly. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 36, 986–1013.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Heaney, R.P., Recker, R.R. and Saville, P.D. (1977). Calcium balance and calcium requirements in middle-aged women. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 30, 1603–1611.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hegsted, D.M. (1986). Calcium and osteoporosis. Journal of Nutrition, 116, 2316–2319.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Horsman, A., Gallagher, J.C., Simpson, M. and Nordin, B.E.C. (1977). Prospective trial of estrogen and calcium in postmenopausal women. British Medical Journal, 2, 789–792.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hurxthal, L.M. and Vose, G.P. (1969). The relationship of dietary calcium intake to radiographic bone density in normal and osteoporotic persons. Calcified Tissue International, 4, 245–256.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jowsey, J. and Raisz, L.G. (1968). Experimental osteoporosis and parathyroid activity. Endocrinology, 82, 384–396.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kanders, B., Dempster, D.W. and Lindsay, R. (1988). Interaction of calcium nutrition and physical activity on bone mass in young women. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 3, 145–149.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kanders, B., Lindsay, R., Dempster, D., Markhard, L. and Valiquette, G. (1984). Determinants of bone mass in young healthy women. In Christiansen, C., Ar–naud, C.D., Riggs, B.L. (Eds.) Osteoporosis (pp. 337–339). Denmark: Glostrup Hospital.Google Scholar
Lamke, B., Sjoberg, H.E. and Sylven, M. (1978). Bone mineral content in women with Colle's fracture: effect of calcium supplementation. Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavia, 49, 143–146.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Leighton, G. and McKinlay, P.L. (1930). Milk Consumption and the growth of school children. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office.Google Scholar
Marcus, R. (1982). The relationship of dietary calcium to the maintenance of skeletal integrity in man — An interface of endocrinology and nutrition. Metabolism, 31(1), 93–102.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Martin, A.D. and Houston, C.S. (1987). Osteoporosis, calcium and physical activity. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 136, 587–593.Google ScholarPubMed
Matkovic, V., Kostial, K., Simonovic, I., Buzina, R., Brodarec, A. and Nordin, B.E.C. (1979). Bone status and fracture rates in two regions of Yugoslavia. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 32, 540–549.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
National Academy of Sciences, Washington. (1980). Recommended dietary allowances. Washington D.C.: National Academy Press.Google Scholar
Nilas, L., Christiansen, C. and Rodbro, P. (1984). Calcium supplementation and pos–tmenopausal bone loss. British Medical Journal, 289, 1103–1106.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nordin, B.E.C. (1966). International patterns of osteoporosis. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 45, 17–29.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nordin, B.E.C. (1986). Calcium. Journal of Food and Nutrition, 42(2), 67–82.Google Scholar
Nordin, B.E.C., Horsman, A., Crilly, R.G., Marshall, D.H. and Simpson, M. (1980). Treatment of spinal osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. British Medical Journal, 280, 451–454.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nordin, B.E.C. and Polley, K.J. (1987). Metabolic consequences of the menopause — A cross-sectional, longitudinal and intervention study on 557 normal postmenopausal women. Calcified Tissue International, 41 (suppl. 1), S1–S59.Google ScholarPubMed
Odland, L.M., Mason, R.L. and Alexeff, A.I. (1972). Bone density and dietary findings of 409 Tennessee subjects. 1. Bone density considerations. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 25, 905–907.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Parfitt, A.M. (1988). Bone health: Controversies on dietary factors. Proceedings of Kellogg Nutrition Symposium, April, 1988, Toronto, Ontario, pp. 111–126.Google Scholar
Peck, W.A. (1984). Osteoporosis consensus conference. Journal of American Medical Association, 252(6), 799–802.Google Scholar
Picard, D., Ste-Marie, L.G., Coutu, D., Carrier, L., Chartrand, R., Lepage, R., Fugere, P. and D'Amour, P. (1988). Premenopausal bone mineral content relates to height, weight and calcium intake during early adulthood. Bone and Mineral, 4, 299–309.Google ScholarPubMed
Recker, R.R. (1987). Bone mass and calcium nutrition. Nutrition Quarterly, 11, 19–21.Google Scholar
Recker, R.R. and Heaney, R.P. (1985). The effects of milk supplements on calcium metabolism, bone metabolism and calcium balance. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 41, 254–263.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Recker, R.R., Saville, P.D. and Heaney, R.P. (1977). Effects of estrogens and calcium carbonate on bone loss in postmenopausal women. Annals of Internal Medicine, 87, 649–655.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Riggs, B.L., Seeman, E., Hodgson, S.F., Taves, D.R. and O'Fallon, W. M. (1982). Effect of the fluoride/calcium regimen on vertebral fracture occurrence in postmenopausal osteoporosis. New England Journal of Medicine, 306, 446–450.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Riggs, B.L., Wahner, H.W., Seeman, E., Offord, K.P., Dunn, W.L., Mazess, R.B., Johnson, K.A. and Melton, L.J. (1982). Changes in bone mineral density of the proximal femur and spine with aging. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 70, 716–723.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Riis, B., Thomsen, K. and Christiansen, C. (1987). Does calcium supplementation prevent postmenopausal bone loss? The New England Journal of Medicine, 316, 173–177.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sandler, R.B., Cauley, J.A., Horn, D.L., Sashim, D. and Kriska, A.M. (1987). The effects of walking on the cross-sectional dimensions of the radius in postmenopausal women. Calcified Tissue International, 41, 65–69.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sandier, R.B., Slemenda, C.W., Laporte, R.E., Cauley, J.A., Schramm, M.W., Barresi, M.L. and Kriska, A.M. (1985). Post-menopausal bone density and milk consumption in childhood and adolescence. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 42, 270–274.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shah, G.B. and Belonje, B. (1988). Calcium and bone health of women. Nutrition Research, 8, 431–42.Google Scholar
Shapiro, J.R., Moore, W.T., Jorgensen, H., Reid, J., Epps, C.H. and Whedon, D. (1975). Osteoporosis: evaluation of diagnosis and therapy. Archives of Internal Medicine, 135, 563–567.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smith, D.A., Anderson, J.J.B., Aitken, J.M. and Shimmins, J. (1975). The effects of calcium supplementation of the diet on bone mass in women. In Kuhlencordt, F. and Kruse, H.P. (Eds.): Calcium Metabolism, Bone and Metabolic Bone Diseases (pp. 278–282). Berlin: Springer.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, E.L., Reddan, W. and Smith, P.E. (1981). Physical activity and calcium modalities for bone mineral increase in aged women. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 13, 60–64.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smith, R.W. and Frame, B. (1965). Concurrent axial and appendicular osteoporosis. New England Journal of Medicine, 273, 73–78.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Solomon, L. (1968). Osteoporosis and fracture of the femoral neck in the South African Bantu. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 50B, 1–13.Google ScholarPubMed
Sowers, M.R., Wallace, R.B. and Lemke, J.H. (1985). Correlates of midradius bone density among post menopausal women, a community study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 41, 17–29.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Walker, A.R.P. (1972). The human requirement of calcium: should low intakes be supplemented? American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 25, 518.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wardlaw, G. (1988). The effects of diet and life–style on bone mass in women. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 88, 17–25.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
World Health Organization. (1974). Handbook of human nutritional requirements (Monogram Series No. 61, pp. 49–52). Geneva: World Health Organization.Google Scholar