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Report: Americans need more calcium
Panel sets new recommendations for children, adults
In this story:August 13, 1997
- 'Alarming' increase in osteoporosis
- New dietary terminology, guidelines
- 'More scientifically sound' system
- Related stories and sites
Web posted at: 11:51 p.m. EDT (0351 GMT)WASHINGTON (CNN) -- How much calcium do you get? If you're like many Americans, not enough, according to a panel that sets nutritional guidelines.
An Institute of Medicine committee revisited the recommendations for calcium Wednesday, raising the levels to 1,000-1,300 milligrams a day for most Americans.
The panel's new guidelines are intended to fight the brittle-bone disease osteoporosis.
This is a significant increase from the previous benchmark, 800-1,200 milligrams a day, set in 1989 by the institute's parent, the National Academy of Sciences. The NAS has set dietary guidelines since 1941.
Most Americans do not meet the old or new guidelines, according to Dr. Connie M. Weaver of Purdue University, a member of the panel.
"Among elderly Americans, only about 10 percent are getting anywhere close to the requirements needed to protect against losing bone," Weaver said.
'Alarming' increase in osteoporosis
The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that the average adult gets only 500-700 milligrams of calcium a day.
"The increase in osteoporosis is becoming alarming," Weaver said. "It now costs the nation about $13.8 billion annually in health care expense."
The new guidelines recommend the equivalent of more than four glasses of milk a day for some age groups. But Edith Howard Hogan of the American Dietetic Association says that it's not very difficult to get more calcium, even for people who do not like milk.
Broccoli, spinach, tofu, almonds, mustard greens and pinto beans are rich in calcium, and products like yogurt and even juices have calcium added. Hogan says calcium from food is preferable, but that supplements are a good idea for people who don't get enough in their diets.
New dietary terminology, guidelines
People will not only have to get used to the higher calcium requirements, but a new term as well. The NAS says Recommended Daily Allowances, or RDAs, should make way for something called Dietary Reference Intakes, or DRIs.
The new system, which is more complex, establishes more age categories for preferred nutrient levels.
In the case of calcium, the board recommends children ages 1 to 3 receive 500 milligrams daily. The level jumps to 800 mg for ages 4 through 8, and to 1,300 mg for ages 9 through 18.
The recommendation for pre-teens and teens is the equivalent of more than four cups of milk a day, and about 100 mg more than previously recommended.
The new recommendation for ages 19 to 50 is 1,000 mg -- more than three cups of milk a day and about 200 mg more than previously recommended.
For those aged 51 and older, the board called for dietary calcium levels of 1,200 mg -- about four cups of milk daily and 400 mg more than once thought.
Overall, the new levels are 25 to 50 percent higher for adults than RDAs previously used.
For pregnant and lactating women, calcium levels of 1,300 mg daily are recommended for ages 14 to 18, and 1,000 mg for ages 19 through 50. Earlier RDA calcium levels for pregnant and lactating women were 1,200 mg.
One cup, or eight ounces, of skim milk contains about 300 mg of total calcium.
'More scientifically sound' system
McMaster University's Stephanie Atkinson, a committee member, is pleased with the change, saying, "It is complex, but at least it's more scientifically sound than what it's been in the past."
The new guidelines are intended for health care professionals more than for consumers.
"Our mission was to set absolute values, and then government and industry can use those values as they feel is most consumer friendly," Atkinson said.
The report also set new guidelines for phosphorous, magnesium, vitamin D and fluoride. Those guidelines are not significantly different from the previous ones, according to Weaver.
Correspondent Eugenia Halsey, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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