Recommended Calcium Intake Should Be Boosted, Report Says
From Times staff and wire reports
Americans should consume between 1,000 and 1,300 milligrams of calcium per day to minimize the risk of osteoporosis, according to a report from the National Academy of Sciences released Wednesday. The report is the first review since 1941 of recommended daily allowances of calcium and several other nutrients important for bone growth.
The review suggests increasing the recommendation for children from 800 milligrams per day to 1,300, while levels for most other age groups would rise by a smaller amount. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, more than 28 million Americans have osteoporosis or are at risk because they have low bone mass. The average adult gets 500 to 700 mg per day of calcium, about half the necessary amount.
