"We hope our case study puts to rest these concerns about calcium supplements so we cover our bones as well as not worry about cardiovascular effects," Dr. Weaver concluded. "Adequate intake of calcium should be below the tolerable upper limit and should be encouraged for bone health. Most dietary guidance committees recommend foods as the first choice, but supplements should be used to fill dietary shortcomings. So if the dietary guidelines recommend 3 cups/day of low-fat dairy product equivalents to get enough calcium, the addition of a 300-mg calcium supplement is recommended for every one serving missed."
"Bone health is a lifelong concern," she said. "Peak skeletal mass is achieved by ages 20-30 and the adult skeleton is remodeled and replaced every 10 years."
Milk contains enough calcium to meet dietary recommendations, but milk consumption is decreasing among Americans in all age groups, especially in children, she said. "This decline could set them up to grow lower levels of bone mass. Over life, that could position them to be in a fracture zone earlier. So we have to be concerned: How do we get these minerals needed if use of the main dietary source – milk – is declining? The controversy of calcium supplements comes to the forefront, because that is one alternative to milk. There are not that many foods that are concentrated in well-absorbed calcium."
Dr. Weaver disclosed that she serves on the boards of the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the International Life Sciences Institute, Showalter, and Pharmavite. She has also received grant support from the National Institutes of Health, the Dairy Research Institute, Nestle, and Tate & Lyle.