Patient education: Calcium and vitamin D for bone health (Beyond the Basics)

CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D OVERVIEW — Calcium and vitamin D are important for keeping bones strong and helping to prevent osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a common bone disorder that causes a progressive loss in bone density and mass. As a result, bones become thin, weakened, and easily fractured. It is estimated that more than 1.3 million osteoporosis-associated (or "osteoporotic") fractures occur every year in the United States, primarily of bone within the spine (the vertebrae), the hip, and the forearm near the wrist. (See "Patient education: Bone density testing (Beyond the Basics)".)

A number of treatments can help to prevent loss of bone and treat low bone mass. However, the first step in preventing or treating osteoporosis is to consume foods and drinks that provide calcium, a mineral essential for bone strength, and vitamin D, which aids in calcium breakdown and absorption. (See "Patient education: Osteoporosis prevention and treatment (Beyond the Basics)".)

CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D BENEFITS — Good nutrition is important at all ages to keep the bones healthy.

●Taking calcium reduces bone loss and decreases the risk of fracturing the vertebrae (the bones that surround the spinal cord).

●Consuming calcium during childhood (eg, in milk) can lead to higher bone mass in adulthood. This increase in bone density can reduce the risk of fractures later in life.

●Calcium may also have benefits in other body systems by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

●Calcium and vitamin D supplements may help prevent tooth loss in older adults.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CALCIUM

General recommendations — Premenopausal females (people who still get a monthly period), as well as males of all ages, should consume at least 1000 mg of calcium each day. Postmenopausal females (those who have been through menopause and no longer get a period) should consume 1200 mg of calcium a day. The total daily calcium intake includes calcium from the foods you eat plus any supplements you take.

You should not consume more than 2000 mg of calcium per day (total from diet plus supplements) due to the risk of side effects.

Calcium in the diet — The primary sources of calcium in the diet include milk and other dairy products, such as hard cheese, cottage cheese, or yogurt, as well as green vegetables, such as kale and broccoli (table 1). Some cereals, soy products, and fruit juices are fortified with calcium.

Calcium supplements — The body is able to absorb calcium contained in supplements as well as from dietary sources. If it is difficult to get enough calcium from dietary sources, your health care provider can help determine the best type, dose, and timing of calcium supplements. The table shows the calcium and vitamin D content in commonly available supplements (table 2).

Calcium supplements come in different forms and doses:

●Calcium carbonate is effective and is the least expensive form of calcium. It is best absorbed with a low-iron meal (such as breakfast). Calcium carbonate may not be absorbed well in people who also take a specific medication for gastroesophageal reflux (called a proton pump inhibitor or H2 blocker), which blocks stomach acid. (See "Patient education: Gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults (Beyond the Basics)".)

●Many natural calcium carbonate preparations such as oyster shells or bone meal contain some lead. Children should not take these supplements.

●Calcium citrate is well absorbed in the fasting state as well as with a meal.

●Calcium doses above 500 mg are not absorbed as well as smaller doses, so large doses of supplements should be taken in divided doses (eg, a smaller dose in the morning and evening).

●Calcium supplements do not replace other osteoporosis treatments such as bisphosphonates (eg, risedronate [sample brand name: Actonel], alendronate [brand name: Fosamax]), and raloxifene (brand name: Evista).

Calcium and vitamin D supplements alone are usually insufficient to prevent age-related bone loss, although they may be beneficial in some people (older adults, those with very low intake). In most people with or at risk for osteoporosis, the addition of medication is necessary to slow the breakdown and removal of bone (ie, resorption). (See "Patient education: Osteoporosis prevention and treatment (Beyond the Basics)".)

Underlying gastrointestinal diseases — People who do not adequately absorb nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract (due to malabsorption) may require more than 1000 to 1200 mg of calcium per day. In such cases, a health care provider can help to determine the optimal dose of calcium.

Medications — Your health care provider will review all of your medications to check for possible interactions with calcium. Calcium supplements interfere with the absorption of iron and thyroid hormone, so these medications should be taken at different times.

Certain medications change the amount of calcium that is absorbed and/or excreted. As an example, loop diuretics (eg, furosemide [sample brand name: Lasix]) increase the amount of calcium excreted in the urine. On the other hand, thiazide diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide) can reduce levels of calcium in the urine, potentially reducing the risk of bone loss and kidney stones. If you start taking a medication that alters how the body handles calcium, your provider may recommend a change in the amount of calcium that you consume daily. (See 'Kidney stones' below.)

Side effects of calcium — Calcium is usually easily tolerated when it is taken in divided doses several times per day. Some people do experience side effects, including constipation and indigestion.

Kidney stones — There is no evidence that consuming large amounts of calcium (from foods and drinks) increases the risk of kidney stones, or that avoiding dietary calcium decreases the risk. In fact, avoiding dairy products is likely to increase the risk of kidney stones.

However, use of calcium supplements may increase the risk of kidney stones in susceptible individuals by raising the level of calcium in the urine. This is particularly true if the supplement is taken between meals or at bedtime, and this is one of the reasons it is better to get most of your daily calcium requirement through your diet. (See "Patient education: Kidney stones in adults (Beyond the Basics)".)

IMPORTANCE OF VITAMIN D — Vitamin D decreases bone loss and lowers the risk of fracture, especially in older adults. Along with calcium, vitamin D also helps to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Adequate vitamin D is needed for efficient calcium absorption. Vitamin D is normally made in the skin after exposure to sunlight. (See "Patient education: Vitamin D deficiency (Beyond the Basics)".)

Recommendations for vitamin D — Getting adequate vitamin D is important for bone health in everyone. Experts recommend that males over 70 years of age and postmenopausal females consume at least 800 international units (20 micrograms) of vitamin D per day. Lower amounts of vitamin D intake may not be adequate, while very high doses can be toxic, especially if taken for long periods of time. Although the optimal intake has not been clearly established in premenopausal females or in younger males with osteoporosis, 600 international units (15 micrograms) of vitamin D daily is generally suggested.

Vitamin D is available as an individual supplement and is included in most multivitamins and some calcium supplements  (table 2). Milk is a relatively good dietary source of vitamin D, with approximately 100 international units (2.5 micrograms) per cup (240 mL), and salmon has 800 to 1000 international units (20 to 25 micrograms) of vitamin D per serving (table 3).

Most healthy people don't need to check with their health care provider before taking standard doses of a vitamin D supplement. If you are not being treated for vitamin D deficiency, you probably don't need monitoring of your vitamin D level. However, recommendations for vitamin D supplementation may be different in people with certain underlying medical conditions, such as sarcoidosis or lymphoma. In these situations, a provider will determine if supplements are needed; if so, the person's vitamin D and calcium levels should be monitored with regular tests.

WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION — Your health care provider is the best source of information for questions and concerns related to your medical problem.

This article will be updated as needed on our website (www.uptodate.com/patients). Related topics for patients, as well as selected articles written for health care professionals, are also available. Some of the most relevant are listed below.

Patient level information — UpToDate offers two types of patient education materials.

The Basics — The Basics patient education pieces answer the four or five key questions a patient might have about a given condition. These articles are best for patients who want a general overview and who prefer short, easy-to-read materials.

Patient education: Calcium and vitamin D for bone health (The Basics)
Patient education: Osteoporosis (The Basics)
Patient education: Vitamin D deficiency (The Basics)
Patient education: Diet and health (The Basics)
Patient education: Health and nutrition during breastfeeding (The Basics)
Patient education: Ankylosing spondylitis (The Basics)
Patient education: Primary hyperparathyroidism (The Basics)
Patient education: Common wrist injuries (The Basics)
Patient education: Finger fracture (The Basics)
Patient education: Clavicle fracture (The Basics)
Patient education: Hip fracture (The Basics)
Patient education: Rib fractures in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Lower leg fracture (The Basics)
Patient education: Vertebral compression fracture (The Basics)
Patient education: Ankle fracture (The Basics)
Patient education: Hand fracture (The Basics)
Patient education: Neck fracture (The Basics)
Patient education: Pelvic fracture (The Basics)
Patient education: Toe fracture (The Basics)
Patient education: Vitamin supplements (The Basics)
Patient education: Medicines for osteoporosis (The Basics)
Patient education: Vitamin D for babies and children (The Basics)
Patient education: Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (The Basics)
Patient education: Paget disease of bone (The Basics)
Patient education: Vegetarian diet (The Basics)

Beyond the Basics — Beyond the Basics patient education pieces are longer, more sophisticated, and more detailed. These articles are best for patients who want in-depth information and are comfortable with some medical jargon.

Patient education: Bone density testing (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Osteoporosis prevention and treatment (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Kidney stones in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Vitamin D deficiency (Beyond the Basics)

Professional level information — Professional level articles are designed to keep doctors and other health professionals up-to-date on the latest medical findings. These articles are thorough, long, and complex, and they contain multiple references to the research on which they are based. Professional level articles are best for people who are comfortable with a lot of medical terminology and who want to read the same materials their doctors are reading.

Calcitonin in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
Calcium and vitamin D supplementation in osteoporosis
Causes of vitamin D deficiency and resistance
Diet in the treatment and prevention of hypertension
Epidemiology and etiology of premenopausal osteoporosis
Evaluation and treatment of premenopausal osteoporosis
Overview of the management of low bone mass and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
Vitamin D deficiency in adults: Definition, clinical manifestations, and treatment

The following organizations also provide reliable health information.

●National Library of Medicine

(www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthtopics.html)

●Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases – National Resource Center (ORBD-NRC)

(www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/bone-health/nutrition/calcium-and-vitamin-d-important-every-age)

●National Osteoporosis Foundation

(www.nof.org)

●Osteoporosis Society of Canada

(www.osteoporosis.ca/)

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