Calcium and Vitamin D are essential for normal bone growth and in maintaining healthy bones, but are you getting enough? For many, the answer is, no.
Approximately 70% of the population* are not getting enough
Calcium.1 In children and adolescents this is particularly risky
since peak bone mass can occur up until the age of 30. If
Calcium and Vitamin D intake are consistently low during these
crucial years, there is a higher risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures later in life.2
Osteoporosis affects more than 10 million Americans, while another 34 million have low bone mass (also known as osteopenia). According to National Institutes of Health, adequate Calcium and Vitamin D intake, along with weight-bearing exercises, and not smoking are critical to the development and maintenance of healthy bones.3
*Does not include breast-fed children and lactating women.
Adequate Intake (AI) for Calcium
The AI for Calcium as determined by the Food and Nutrition Board, a division of the National Academy of Science, is the amount of calcium required each day for optimal bone development (density).4
| Age (in years) | AI of Calcium | Percent of Individuals Not Consuming Enough Calcium |
|---|---|---|
| Children 1-3 | 500 mg per day | 6% not getting enough |
| Children 4-8 | 800 mg per day | 31% not getting enough |
| Adolescents 9-18 | 1300 mg per day | 75% of adolescent boys 90% of adolescent girls |
| Adults 19 and over | 1000 mg per day (age 9-50 years) |
63% men over 19 years 88% women over 19 years |
| Adults 51 and over | 1200 mg | 63% men over 19 years 88% women over 19 years |
Adequate Intake (AI) for Vitamin D*
The AI for Vitamin D, also determined by the Food and Nutrition Board, is the amount of Vitamin D needed per day to keep an adequate amount of Vitamin D in the blood.2 Vitamin D aids in the absorption and storage of Calcium and is also important for healthy bone development and maintenance.4
| Age (in years) | AI of Vitamin D |
|---|---|
| Children 1-18 | 200 IU per day |
| Adults 19-50 | 400 IU per day |
| Adults 51 and over | 600 IU per day |
*There is insufficient data to report the status of vitamin D intake in the US.
References
1 Moshfegh A, Goldman J, Cleveland L. What we eat in America, NHANES 2001-2002: Usual nutrient intakes from food compared with Dietary Reference Intakes. US Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Services.
2 NIH. National Institutes of Health consensus statement: Optimal calcium intake. 1994;12:1-31.
3 Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Calcium, Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health. Accessed 9/25/08:
4 Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D and Fluoride. 1997. National Academy of Sciences. Institute of Medicine.
