Calcium could reduce risk of osteoporosis after menopause

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Washington: Attention women! A study has recently suggested that calcium is an essential part of the diet from childhood to old age in females to reduce the risk of osteoporosis after menopause.

According to researchers, their aim of raising awareness about calcium is important as it  lower's the risk of osteoporosis in women. The recommended daily intake of calcium after menopause varies between 700 and 1,200 mg, depending on the endorsing society.

Calcium is vital for strong healthy bones and worldwide scientific societies have issued guidance about the daily requirements from childhood to old age. The European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) has issued a new clinical guide with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of calcium in lowering the risk of osteoporosis.

It is uncertain whether excessive intake can cause harm. Some epidemiological studies have raised concern about possible cardiovascular risk, dementia or even, paradoxically, fracture. Calcium may be obtained from food or supplements containing calcium salts.

Most people should be able to get enough calcium through healthy eating, but this is not always the case. Diets in Southern European have less dairy products than in Northern countries. The data from the NHANES database in the U.S.A. showed that less than one third of women aged 9 to 71 consumed enough calcium.

Another reason for concern are the rates of over prescription of supplements above the recommended upper level of 2,000 mg/day. For example, one study found that 29 per cent of supplements were over prescribed. The EMAS confirms that calcium is an essential part of the diet from childhood to old age, and that an approximate assessment of intake should be part of routine health checks.

Women need to be more calcium-aware and mindful of calcium-rich foods. But more is not better, and women should be warned that intakes above the recommended levels may be useless or, although still debated, may cause harm.