Calcium supplementation: The bare bones

Abstract

An adequate calcium intake is an essential part of the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Two to three serves of calcium-rich foods each day provides sufficient calcium for most non-pregnant adults. If this target is not achievable, calcium supplementation is generally effective, cheap and safe for most people. Calcium carbonate (without vitamin and mineral additives) is the preferred supplement in most cases. Problems with calcium absorption arise due to factors including high-fibre vegetarian diets, achlorhydria, long-term glucocorticoid therapy and vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common in some ethnic groups and the elderly who are housebound or in residenti..