| [ Summary ] |
The fact that daily calcium intake is important for the maintenance of bone health has been clarified in many studies. However, the preventive effects of calcium intake in relation to hip fractures is still controversial. In the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for Japanese, the Recommended Dietary Allowance of calcium is set at 650-800 mg/day for adult men and 650 mg/day for adult women. On the other hand, results from the National Health and Nutrition Survey in Japan as of 2014, indicate intake of calcium in both men and women at 20 years of age or older does not reach to 500 mg/day. In the same nutrition survey, intake of dairy products, shows a markedly downward trend in those 15 years of age or older, which correlated with intake of calcium. Since calcium intake was reported to be associated with the intake of dairy products and bone mineral density in Japan, there is a need for additional intake of milk products. On the other hand, intake of calcium supplements has been reported to have a preventive effect on hip fractures in combination with vitamin D. However, attention is required to prevent overdoses, since excessive intake of calcium induces adverse effects such as milk-alkaline syndrome. |