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National Osteoporosis Foundation’s
Updated Recommendations for Calcium and
Vitamin D Intake
Revised October, 2008
In
recent years, calcium and vitamin D
deficiency have been the topics of
significant research and professional
debate. Based on substantial research
findings on consensus among the leading
experts on this topic, the National
Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) is
updating its recommendations for daily
adequate calcium and vitamin D
intake to the following amounts:
Calcium
According to NOF recommendations, adults
under age 50 need 1,000 mg of calcium
daily, and adults age 50 and over need
1,200 mg of calcium daily.
Vitamin D
According to NOF
recommendations, adults under age 50
need 400-800 IU of vitamin D
daily, and
adults age 50
and older need 800 – 1,000 IU of
vitamin D
daily. There are two types of vitamin D supplements. They are vitamin D3 and vitamin D2. Previous research suggested that vitamin D3 was a better choice than vitamin D2. However, more recent studies show that vitamin D3 and vitamin D2 are equally good for bone health. Vitamin D3 is also called cholecalciferol. Vitamin D2 is also called ergocalciferol. Vitamin D
can also be obtained from fortified
milk, egg yolks, saltwater fish, liver
and supplements.
Role of Calcium
Getting the daily
recommended amount of calcium, whether
through diet, supplements, or
combination, is essential to maintaining
bone strength and can play a vital role
in preventing osteoporosis-related
fractures.
Role of Vitamin D
Vitamin D
plays a major role in calcium absorption
and bone health. Vitamin D
is manufactured in the skin following
direct exposure to sunlight; however,
there are many different factors that
affect a person’s ability to make
adequate amounts of vitamin D.
NOF revised its
recommendations after careful
consideration and review of a growing
body of evidence that calcium and
vitamin D deficiency
is widespread throughout the world as
well as in the U.S., particularly in
adults 50 and older.
NOF will be working in
the coming months to update its
resources and materials. Click here for additional
information on calcium and vitamin D.
Source:
Dawson-Hughes B, Heaney
RP, Holick M, Lips P, Meunier P, Vieth
R.
2005 Estimates of
optimal vitamin D status. Osteoporosis Int
16: 713-716.
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