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Calcium En Español (Spanish Version)
Calcium is the most prevalent mineral in the human body. About 99% of the body's calcium resides in the bones, and the remaining 1% is dispersed throughout other body fluids and cells.
Calcium's functions include:
- Builds bones, both in length and strength
- Helps bones remain strong by slowing the rate of bone loss with age
- Helps muscles contract
- Helps the heart beat
- Plays a role in normal nerve function, transfers nerve impulses
- Helps blood clot during bleeding
- Builds healthy teeth (in kids)
Age Group
(in years)
Adequate IntakeFemalesMalesBirth to 6 months210 milligrams (mg)210 mg7-12 months270 mg270 mg1-3 years500 mg500 mg4-8 years800 mg800 mg9-13 years1,300 mg1,300 mg14-18 years1,300 mg1,300 mg14-18 years—pregnant or lactating1,300 mgn/a19-50 years1,000 mg1, 000 mg19-50 years—pregnant or lactating1,000 mgn/a51 years and older1,200 mg1,200 mg In childhood, not getting enough calcium may interfere with growth. A severe deficiency may keep children from reaching their potential adult height. Even a mild deficiency over a lifetime can affect bone density and bone loss, which increases the risk for osteoporosis. If you do not consume enough calcium, your body will draw from the storage in your bones in order to supply enough calcium for its other functions: nerve transmission, muscle contraction, heartbeat, and blood clotting.
Symptoms of a calcium deficiency include:
- Inadequate mineralization of bone
- Intermittent muscle contractions
- Muscle pain
- Muscle spasms
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
- Rickets
in children
-
Osteoporosis
in adults
Unless doses exceed 2,500 mg/day, adverse effects for adults are unlikely. Very large doses over a prolonged period of time may cause kidney stones and poor kidney function. Your body may not absorb other minerals, such as
iron
,
magnesium
, and
zinc
, properly. These problems could occur from consuming too much through a calcium supplement, not from milk or other calcium-rich foods. The tolerable upper intake level (UL) is set at 2,500 mg daily from age one through adulthood.
Dairy foods—milk, yogurt, and some cheeses—are the best dietary sources of calcium. These foods are also rich in vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium. FoodServing size
Calcium content
(mg)
Yogurt1 cup300-400Milk1 cup300-400Macaroni and cheese, homemade1 cup362Parmesan cheese1 Tbsp336Eggnog, nonalcoholic1 cup330Chocolate milk1 cup300Ricotta cheese½ cup300Powdered milk¼ cup290Cheddar cheese1 ounce250Swiss cheese1 ounce250Provolone cheese1 ounce215Cheese pizza1/6 frozen pizza210Mozzarella cheese1 ounce175American cheese1 ounce160Cottage cheese1 cup120Frozen yogurt, soft serve½ cup100Ice cream½ cup80 Absorption of calcium from some other dietary sources is not as great as that from dairy foods. Specifically, dark green vegetables contain oxalates, and grains contain phytates, which can bind with calcium and decrease their absorption. Read labels on tofu and fortified products to determine specific calcium levels of these foods. FoodServing size
Calcium content
(mg)
Tofu, regular, processed with calcium½ cup435Calcium-fortified soy milk1 cup250-300Salmon, canned with edible bones3 ounces212Calcium-fortified orange juice¾ cup200Blackstrap molasses1 Tbsp172Pudding, from cook & serve mix½ cup150Dried figs5 pieces135Tofu, regular (processed without calcium)½ cup130Anchovies with edible bones3 ounces125Turnip greens, boiled½ cup100Milk chocolate bar1.5 ounce85Okra, boiled½ cup77Tempeh½ cup77Kale, boiled½ cup70Mustard greens, boiled½ cup65Orange1 medium50Pinto beans½ cup45 Calcium is essential to build and maintain strong bones at all stages of life. Bone growth begins at conception, and bones grow longer and wider until well into the 20s. After this type of growth is complete, bones gain in strength and density as they continue to build up to peak bone mass by about age 35. From this point on, as a natural part of the aging process, bones slowly lose mass. Calcium is essential to slow this natural loss and stave off the onset of osteoporosis—a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. - When making oatmeal or other hot cereal, use milk instead of water.
- Add powdered milk to hot cereal, casseroles, baked goods, and other hot dishes.
- Make your own salad dressing by combining low-fat plain yogurt with herbs.
- Add tofu (processed with calcium) to soups and pasta sauce.
- If you like fish, eat canned fish with bones on crackers or bread.
- For dessert, try low-fat frozen yogurt, ice cream, or pudding.
- In baked goods, replace half of the fat with plain yogurt.
If you are unable to meet your calcium needs through dietary sources, consider a calcium supplement. Some points to remember when choosing and using a calcium supplement include:
- Check the label because the amount of calcium differs among products.
- Avoid supplements with dolomite or bone meal; they may contain lead.
- Check your vitamin D intake, too. This vitamin is essential for absorption of calcium. Milk is a great source of vitamin D, as is sunlight.
- If you take both calcium and iron supplements or a multivitamin with iron, take them at different times of the day. They can impair each other's absorption
- Do not take more than 500 mg of calcium at a time. Taking the calcium with food can help absorption.
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Last Reviewed June 2010
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