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Calcium is a mineral that's critical for building
strong, healthy bones for a lifetime. Bone is a living tissue, just
like our skin and internal organs. It undergoes a continuous cycle of being
broken down and rebuilt for as long as we live.
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For women of all ages and
life stages, calcium, vitamin D
and exercise are critical to maintaining everyday bone
health and helping to prevent osteoporosis.
Read calcium benefits
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Setting the Stage
Banking in Childhood
- Girls and boys develop the majority of their
bone mass during childhood and adolescence.
- It's during these bone forming years that children's
bodies are most capable of absorbing calcium.
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Maintaining in
Adulthood
- Bone density peaks, making the need for dietary
calcium even more critical in maintaining bone strength.
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Slowing Bone Loss
in Menopause
- With the onset of menopause, the changes that
occur in a women's body result in greater calcium needs to help reduce age-related
bone loss.
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| Banking in Childhood |
Maintaining in Adulthood* |
Slowing Bone Loss in Menopause |
| Age Range 9-18 |
Age Range 19-50 |
Age Range 51+ |
| Recommended Daily Calcium Intake |
Recommended Daily Calcium Intake |
Recommended Daily Calcium Intake |
| 1300 mg |
1000 mg |
1200 mg |
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Banking in Childhood
While girls and young women are still growing, their
bones are growing too. It's during these bone-forming years that their bodies
are most capable of absorbing calcium. But the fact is, most children
and adolescents aren't getting the calcium they need to build peak bone mass
that could help prevent osteoporosis later in life.*
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Maintaining in Adulthood
Once a woman's bones have stopped growing, sufficient
dietary calcium remains important for maintaining bone strength and bone health
throughout life.
If you're pregnant or lactating,
you need to make sure you are getting enough calcium in your diet or with a
calcium supplement. You may be taking a prenatal multi-vitamin/mineral that
has been prescribed by your doctor. Most prenatal supplements contain a small
amount of calcium. If you are trying to become pregnant or suspect you may
be pregnant, you should discuss your vitamin and mineral requirements with
your physician.
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Slowing Age-Related Bone Loss
in Menopause
During this time, a woman's ovaries stop producing
estrogen, which is critical to calcium balance. Bone mass is now
being broken down faster than it is being rebuilt. Getting enough dietary
calcium and vitamin D along with weight-bearing exercises are important steps
toward maintaining bone strength and bone health throughout life.
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Benefits of Calcium
Research shows that adequate
intake of calcium may also promote
other key body functions.
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* Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee
on Nutrition. Calcium requirements of infants, children and adolescents. Pediatrics.
1999; 104:1152-1157
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