Young women may need calcium to protect their bones in future decades

Ladies, if you wait until middle age or the onset of menopause to start taking calcium supplements to avoid osteoporosis, you might have waited a few decades too long.

Researchers at the University of Sheffield, UK, gave about 100 young girls (their average age was 12) either 792 mg of calcium daily or a placebo.

At the end of the 18-month study, subjects in the calcium group had greater bone mineral content (BMC) in all skeletal sites except the hip. Bone mineral density (BMD) was also significantly higher compared to girls who took placebo.

When the girls were examined two years later, BMC and BMD had returned to pre-study levels among subjects who discontinued supplement use.

In “Absorbing It All,” you can read Dr. Spreen’s recommendations about the best types of calcium supplements, optimal dosage, and additional nutrients needed to boost calcium absorbency.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson

Source:
“Calcium supplementation and bone mineral accretion in adolescent girls: an 18-mo randomized controlled trial with 2-y follow-up” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 87, No. 2, February 2008, ajcn.org